Yahoo News Sex Education actor claims he was 'kicked to the ground and pepper sprayed' by Met Police officers
A Sex Education star claims Met Police officers kicked him to the ground and pepper-sprayed him. Reece Richards, known for his role as Eugene, has spoken out after allegedly 'victim of an unlawful arrest and police misconduct' near his home in Fulham, West London, in the early hours of September 4, shortly after returning from a performance in Hairspray the Musical on the West End.
Taking to Instagram, he said: "On Wednesday, 4th September, between 12:38 am and 2:30 am I was the victim of an unlawful arrest and police misconduct in Fulham, just yards away from my front door. I've heard stories about incidents like this, but I never imagined it would happen to me. This is my story."
He went on to add: "I had just finished performing in Hairspray the Musical when a car crashed near me. Two men one White and one Asian jumped out; one started running in one direction, and the other ran toward me where I stood with my suitcase. Realising the police were chasing them, I shouted: 'He ran down there, officer', and pointed out the direction they fled.
"Despite hearing me, the officer shouted that I was under arrest and demanded I get on the ground. I was confused, unable to understand why I was suddenly being treated like a criminal. Calmly, I explained that I was a performer returning from a show, but one officer yelled, 'Get to the floor or I'll pepper spray you.'"
Reece continued: "Moments later, three more officers ran at me. They pepper-sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the round and handcuffed me. In a flash, I was face-down on the pavement with multiple officers holding me down, forcing my head into the ground. I was already injured from the show, but having four officers on top of me worsened my injuries to my back, ribs and stomach.
"I couldn't see anything, but I could hear my mum nearby, screaming and crying, begging them to let me go. Although I couldn't see her, her distress was clear, so I asked her to call Brenda Edwards, the director of Hairspray, a family friend and well-known daytime TV host. Brenda arrived around 20 minutes later, and immediately the officers' attitude shifted. After reviewing body cam footage, they agreed to release me.
"That feeling of helplessness will never leave me. I've been stopped and searched before, but never have I been arrested or treated like this. Witnesses have told me that the culprits were also handcuffed but were not pepper-sprayed. At the time, I was carrying a 23kg suitcase and a backpack and was on FaceTime with some of my cast from Hairspray.
"The whole experience was embarrassing, deeply upsetting and exhausting. It has left me questioning everything I thought I knew about justice. Suddenly, my understanding of right and wrong feels completely upended."
Reece added: "I've lodged formal complaints with the IOPC and Met Police, but so far, I've been unable to access the body cam or CCTV footage. What I seek is accountability for how I was treated and to raise awareness that incidents like this are still happening. I want police policy to change because this is happening way too often, and it's just wrong.
"I do everything I can to avoid interactions with the police, yet this experience has made it painfully clear that racial profiling remains a significant issue. Being surrounded by armed officers for no reason is a terrifying and traumatic experience. If anyone can offer advice on the next steps or legal guidance, I would be incredibly grateful."
'Officers often find themselves in dynamic, challenging situations and have to make split-second judgements'
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: "We are aware of a video circulating on social media of a man being detained in the Fulham area. Officers often find themselves in dynamic, challenging situations and have to make split-second judgements on which course of action to take. Officers had been pursuing three men who had run out of a car that had crashed in Fulham Palace Road after it failed to stop for police.
"It is clear the man shown in the footage was an innocent bystander and he was dearrested as soon as this was established by officers at the scene. All officers know any use of force must be proportionate and reasonable and they understand their actions will be scrutinised. A complaint has been received in relation to his arrest.
"This is currently being assessed by officers from the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), along with other material including the officers' body-worn video footage. None of the officers involved are subject to restrictions at this time."
Since the news of Reece's wrongful arrest, Brenda Edwards and the official Instagram account for Hairspray the Musical have spoken out.
In a statement, they said: "We stand in full support and solidarity with Recce Richards, a valued member of our cast who was wrongfully targeted by the Met Police whilst making his way home after a performance of Hairspray The Musical. We strongly condemn any form of racism and discrimination. We are in close contact with Reece and are offering him our full support during this difficult time."
