Police have launched a criminal investigation after an officer was filmed deliberately driving a patrol car into an escaped cow.

The 10-month-old calf was on the loose in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, when police used a vehicle to stop the animal.

Footage of the incident went viral last month and soon sparked outrage – with then home secretary James Cleverly calling for a “full, urgent explanation”.

The police officer driving the vehicle was suspended from frontline duties just days later.

Surrey Police has now said the incident is being investigated as a criminal and internal misconduct matter.

The investigation is being led by its Professional Standards Department and overseen by a senior investigating officer, a statement from the force said.

Surrey Police received 2,000 complaints from the public and “in excess of 20,000 messages” on social media about the incident, Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp added.

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As part of their enquiries, officers have carried out roughly 290 house-to-house visits and contacted 75 witnesses.

More than 250 clips of video footage have been submitted by members of the public, the force added.

DCC Kemp said: “This significant update demonstrates why a thorough investigation is important, as it ensures all potential criminal and misconduct matters are clearly understood. This does, of course, take time.”

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The video showed the loose cow falling and then skidding metres along a road after being hit by the vehicle.

As the calf – named Beau Lucy – seemed to be trying to get back on its feet, the car approached for a second time and appeared to trap the animal’s head and part of its torso underneath the front of the vehicle.

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