* WARNING - This article contains distressing content *
Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has commented on his vote in the upcoming general election in response to shocking police footage.
Mr Clarkson, whose Diddly Squat Farm is in Chadlington, has been reacting to a video circulating online on Sunday of a police car being filmed deliberately driven into a cow twice.
Home Secretary James Cleverly has demanded an urgent explanation after the footage shows a cow falling and skidding metres down a road after being hit by the police vehicle.
READ MORE: Wytham Abbey near Oxford, once owned by earls, is for sale
Taking to social media on Sunday morning, Mr Clarkson said: "I will vote for any party which stops the police from running over cows."
The Oxfordshire farmer went on to say he would bring up the issue with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak if he had the chance to do so.
Responding to a fan, Mr Clarkson said: "I've never met him (Mr Sunak) but if I do, I’ll be sure to bring it up."
Surrey Police said it will refer itself to the police complaints watchdog in response to the video of the cow being hit.
The force said in a statement that after attempts to safely capture the cow “over a period of a number of hours” failed, “the decision was made to stop it using a police car”.
UK - I am so upset by this.
— Bernie (@Artemisfornow) June 15, 2024
What looks like a young cow has escaped from her field. The police think it’s ok to ram her with their police car.
This is truly disgusting of the police. Wtf is wrong with this country 😳😱
pic.twitter.com/HXu1HRZGdx
Commenting on the incident, Mr Cleverly said: "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.
It had received "numerous calls from the public reporting a car being damaged" and the animal running at people.
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel