No set guidance on escaped livestock - police body

The calf is recovering and has been reunited with her herd, police said

The body which sets policing standards has said it does "not provide specific guidance" on dealing with escaped livestock after officers were seen ramming a cow in a police car.

A video showing an escaped calf hit twice in a residential street caused widespread outrage when it was shared.

On Sunday, Surrey Police said the driver of the car had been removed from frontline duties.

The force has not given a timeline for the next steps in the investigation after its voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The College of Policing, which sets standards of practice with police forces, said a national decision model was in place for officers to assess a situation and take action.

Tom Harding, director of operational standards, said: “The college does not provide specific guidance on how to deal with escaped livestock.

"However, to support everyone in policing to make decisions, often in dangerous and complex circumstances, the college has provided a National Decision Model.

"This is a clear framework for assessing a situation and taking action, in line with the Code of Ethics principles; courage, respect and empathy, and public service."

A video which showed a police car twice hitting the escaped calf in a residential street caused widespread outrage

On Monday evening, Surrey Police said the calf, called Beau Lucy, was still recovering under the treatment of a vet and had been reunited with her herd.

The spokesperson said police remained in contact with the owner, who previously described the video as "horrific".

David Barton, National Farmers' Union (NFU) livestock board chair, said "like all farmers" he was "deeply shocked and disturbed" by the footage.

He said he understood the police had a responsibility to "first and foremost protect the public".

Mr Barton added: "But there has to be a protocol in place to humanely and safely deal with these situations."

A Surrey farmer and the NFU's South East livestock chairman, Hugh Broom, said while he recognised the situation looked "horrendous", officers' options were limited and they "probably did the right thing at the time".

The RSPCA said the police response appeared to be "disproportionate".