The home secretary has called for a “full, urgent explanation” after a police car was filmed deliberately being driven into a cow twice.

A video of the incident began circulating on social media this morning and shows a loose cow falling and skidding metres down a road after being hit by the vehicle.

As the animal seems to be trying to get back on its feet, the car approaches for a second time.

The cow’s head and part of its torso then appears to be stuck underneath the front of the vehicle as two officers get out. A second police car can be seen on an adjoining street.

James Cleverly said in a post on X: “I can think of no reasonable need for this action.

“I’ve asked for a full, urgent explanation for this. It appears to be unnecessarily heavy handed.”

Surrey Police has issued a statement on the matter, saying it responded to reports of a cow running loose in Staines-upon-Thames at around 8.55pm on Friday evening.

Man, 72, denies murdering neighbour over alleyway dispute in Wembley

Record 197 football banning orders handed to fans over incidents at matches in London last season

Tories promise 8,000 extra police to be funded by hiking cost of visas

It had received “numerous calls from the public reporting a car being damaged” and the animal running at people, it said.

“Officers… over a period of a number of hours tried a number of options to safely capture the cow,” the police statement read.

“Unfortunately, these were unsuccessful, and the decision was made to stop it using a police car.”

More from Sky News:
Princess of Wales makes royal return
Millwall player dies aged 26

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

The cow was then moved to a nearby farm with help from members of the public in the early hours of this morning.

The animal’s owner has been located and its injuries have been assessed by a vet.

It has sustained a large cut to its leg and is being treated by a vet, police said.

The matter has been referred to the police’s professional standards department and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been notified. A voluntary referral will be made in due course.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Chief Inspector Sam Adcock said: “I know that this has caused distress and I’d like to thank the community for their concern.

“The decision to use the police car is one that was only taken after other methods to stop the cow had failed.

“There will be an investigation into the actions that led to this, but our focus at all times is on ensuring the safety of the public.”

Police have asked for videos of the “distressing” incident to be sent to them to help with the investigation.

Related posts:

Sarah Everard vigil in doubt as judge refuses to intervene in dispute with Met Police Bogus Universal Credit claims push fraud and error overpayments in benefits system to record levels Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been freed on bail No decision on whether Six Nations rugby matches can go ahead in Wales, Drakeford says Queen says she felt ‘very tired and exhausted’ during her bout with COVID-19 Harry’s ‘self-destructive’ behaviour could be sign of PTSD – and he should be protected, says Army veteran Family of Cody Fisher say they have been left ‘broken’ after footballer was killed on Boxing Day UK set for hottest day of year so far this week Child arrested after boy dies Princess of Wales surprises 13-year-old footballer and his coach Man arrested on suspicion of murder in Cardiff Nottingham killer’s ‘lenient’ sentence being reviewed by attorney general