Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lisa Townsend, has issued a statement following an incident involving a loose cow in Staines-upon-Thames on the evening of Friday, June 14.
The Commissioner said: “I am aware of the incident involving a cow in the Staines area last night and Surrey Police’s decision to voluntarily refer their handling of this incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“I understand the concern that this has caused both in the local community and beyond and that many people are worried about the welfare of the animal involved. The cow is being treated by a vet and receiving care and like everyone, I hope that she makes a full recovery.
“There is much speculation on social media, which does not necessarily reflect the situation, which was ongoing for a number of hours, or the difficult decisions facing officers on the ground at the time.
“I agree the Force were right to opt for a self referral in this instance, and I know they are also thoroughly evaluating the incident internally.
“I would ask everyone to allow time for this to be properly reviewed rather than speculating and causing unnecessary additional stress and concern within the community.
“I am receiving regular updates from chief officers and will continue to monitor the ongoing situation.”