A police driver who faced a fierce backlash when he rammed a cow has been cleared of any potential wrongdoing after an investigation found his actions “both lawful and necessary”.

Shocking footage from the incident on 15 June shows a police vehicle hitting a cow in Staines-upon-Thames, causing the 10-month-old cow, named Beau Lucy, to fall and skid metres down the road.

Surrey Police has said an investigation looking at whether the actions of those involved on the night amounted to the offence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal found they had acted “within their duties”.

A statement reads: "The tactics adopted were both lawful and necessary to prevent harm to the public and property.

“As such, no further action will be taken in either the criminal investigation, or the internal misconduct matter.”

Beau Lucy, who suffered cuts in the incident, has recovered well and remains at the farm with her herd, the force added.