The Metropolitan Police in London are investigating the mistaken arrest of actor Reece Richards, who alleges that he was kicked, pepper-sprayed, and thrown to the ground by police officers in west London. Richards, who appeared in the Netflix show Sex Education, had just returned home from a show in the musical Hairspray when he witnessed a car crash and two men running away. He pointed out the direction in which they were heading but says that four police officers pinned him down, worsening injuries to his ribs, back and stomach. The Met has confirmed that pepper spray was used and its directorate of professional standards has been informed of the incident.
As it transpired, the police officers were in pursuit of a suspected stolen car with false license plates prior to the incident. While Richards was being arrested on Fulham Palace Road, a Taser was pointed and held to him but not discharged. Richards has since made an official complaint of racial profiling against the force to both the police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct. A video circulating on social media shows several police officers restraining an individual on the floor.
Hairspray the Musical’s UK Tour Instagram account has released a public statement in support of Richards, stating that they strongly object to any form of discrimination and racism and stand in solidarity with him. Richards has written an account of his experience on Instagram, saying that he does everything he can to avoid contacting the police but this incident has highlighted the issue of racial profiling. Richards said that the whole experience was “embarrassing, deeply upsetting, and exhausting” and vowed to continue taking steps until the incident is thoroughly investigated.
Three individuals, two of which were subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and the other held for dangerous driving, failing to stop and burglary. All three suspects were taken to hospital where they were assessed and deemed to have sustained injuries that were neither life-changing nor life-threatening. The police watchdog, IOPC, confirmed that there has been no referral from the Met Police as of yet.
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