Reece Richards, an actor from the television show Sex Education, was wrongly arrested by the Metropolitan Police in West London. The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the incident. Richards was on his way home from a performance of the West End musical Hairspray on 4 September when he witnessed a car crash and saw two men running away. Richards told police which direction they went, but the officers threw him to the ground, kicked him and used pepper spray on him.
Richards complained that the police racially profiled him and restrained him by sitting on him; aggravating his pre-existing back, rib and stomach injuries, with four officers sitting on him. The Metropolitan Police said that they chased a car with false plates that was suspected of being stolen; Richards was de-arrested after being subjected to the Taser. Scotland Yard said that Richards accused them of racial profiling. Richards has made a formal complaint to the police and the IOPC.
An IOPC spokesman said that they have received a voluntary complaint referral from the Metropolitan Police about Richards’ arrest on Fulham Palace Road. They also added that the man received minor injuries. The spokesman mentioned that the man had complained about the use of force by the police and their false arrest; he also alleges that he was stopped because he was black and did not match the suspects’ description. The spokesman said that they will review the complaint and decide if further action is necessary.
The driver of the suspected stolen car was arrested at the scene for burglary, failing to stop and dangerous driving. Two other passengers, aged 20 and 21, escaped but were caught close by. The Oliver Award-nominated actor wrote on Instagram that he won’t rest until he gets to the bottom of the story and expresses sadness for others who have gone through a similar experience. The Metropolitan Police admitted that they used pepper spray and informed their directorate of professional standards about the incident
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