Reece Richards: Police probe actor's mistaken pepper-spray arrest
Photo credit: Reece Richards/Instagram
Mr. Richards has submitted an official complaint to both the police and the oversight agency.
The Metropolitan Police are looking into the incorrect arrest of an actor who claims that he was sprayed with pepper, kicked, and forcibly thrown to the ground by police officers in west London.
Reece Richards, known for his role in the Netflix series Sex Education, was heading back to his home in Fulham on September 4 after a performance in the musical Hairspray. During this time, he claims to have seen a car accident and two men running away from the scene on foot.
Even though he indicated where the two men had run off to, he claims that four officers tackled him, aggravating his injuries to his back, ribs, and stomach.
The police have acknowledged that pepper spray was deployed and have stated that their professional standards unit, responsible for handling complaints, has been notified.
The Metropolitan Police reported that their officers were chasing a vehicle believed to be stolen and equipped with fake license plates right before the encounter with Mr. Richards, who has alleged that the police acted based on his race.
Scotland Yard mentioned that prior to Mr. Richards being released from custody on Fulham Palace Road, a Taser was aimed at him, but it was not used.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which oversees police actions, stated that it has not received any referrals from the Metropolitan Police at this moment.
A video posted by Mr. Richards and Hairspray director Brenda Edwards seems to depict several police officers restraining a person on the ground.
In a post on Instagram, Mr. Richards shared that he had filed complaints with both the Metropolitan Police and the police oversight body regarding what he referred to as "racial profiling" during the incident that took place in the early morning hours of September 4th.
The actor recounted, "In an instant, I found myself lying face-first on the pavement, with several officers pinning me down and pressing my head into the ground."
I couldn't make out anything around me, but I could hear my mom close by, shouting and in tears, pleading for them to release me.
The sense of powerlessness is something I won’t forget. The entire situation was humiliating, profoundly distressing, and incredibly draining.
"I won't stop until I uncover the truth, and my heart goes out to anyone else who has experienced this."
He stated, "I try my best to stay away from the police, but this situation has highlighted how much of a problem racial profiling still is."
The Instagram account for the Hairspray UK Tour shared: "We completely support Reece Richards, an important member of our cast, who was unfairly approached by the Metropolitan Police while heading home after a Hairspray the Musical performance."
It emphasized its firm opposition to all types of racism and stated that it is providing him with complete support during this challenging period.
The police reported that a 15-year-old driver was detained at the location for not stopping, reckless driving, and theft.
Scotland Yard reported that two passengers, aged 20 and 21, had fled the scene but were subsequently found close by.
Both individuals were taken into custody on charges of stealing a vehicle, and the 20-year-old was additionally detained for allegedly having a sharp or pointed weapon.
As a safety measure, all three individuals were transported to the hospital, where doctors determined that their injuries were neither life-threatening nor likely to cause significant long-term effects.
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