Police probe actor’s mistaken pepper-spray arrest

The mistaken arrest of an actor who says he was pepper-sprayed, kicked and thrown to the bottom by officers in west London is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.

Reece Richards, who appeared within the Netflix present Intercourse Training, was returning dwelling to Fulham on 4 September after performing within the musical Hairspray when he says he witnessed a automobile crash and two males fleeing on foot.

Regardless of declaring the course during which the 2 males had fled, he says 4 officers sat on him, worsening accidents to his again, ribs and abdomen.

The pressure has admitted pepper spray was used and mentioned its directorate {of professional} requirements, which investigates complaints, had been knowledgeable.

The Met mentioned officers had been pursuing a suspected stolen automobile with false plates earlier than the incident involving Mr Richards, who has accused the pressure of “racial profiling”.

Scotland Yard added that earlier than Mr Richards had been de-arrested on Fulham Palace Street “a Taser was pointed however not discharged”.

The police watchdog the Unbiased Workplace for Police Conduct (IOPC) mentioned it was “not conscious of any referral [from the Metropolitan Police] right now”.

A video, shared by Mr Richards and Hairspray director Brenda Edwards, seems to indicate numerous cops holding a person to the ground.

Writing on Instagram, Mr Richards mentioned he had complained to the Metropolitan Police and the police watchdog about what he referred to as “racial profiling” within the incident, within the early hours of 4 September.

The actor mentioned: “In a flash, I used to be face-down on the pavement with a number of officers holding me down, forcing my head into the bottom.

“I could not see something, however I might hear my mum close by, screaming and crying, begging them to let me go.

“That feeling of helplessness won’t ever depart me. The entire expertise was embarrassing, deeply upsetting, and exhausting.

“I received’t relaxation till I’ve gotten to the underside of this and I’m deeply saddened for anybody else who has been by means of this.”

He added: “I do every part I can to keep away from interactions with the police, but this expertise has made it painfully clear that racial profiling stays a major challenge.”

The Hairspray UK Tour Instagram account posted: “We stand in full assist and solidarity with Reece Richards , a valued member of our forged who was wrongfully focused by the Met Police while making his method dwelling after a efficiency of Hairspray the Musical.”

It added that it “strongly condemns any type of racism” and was “providing him our full assist throughout this troublesome time”.

The Met mentioned the driving force, aged 15, had been arrested on the scene for failing to cease, harmful driving and housebreaking.

Scotland Yard mentioned two passengers, aged 20 and 21, had run off however had been situated close by.

Each had been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motorcar, whereas the 20-year-old was additionally held on suspicion of being in possession of a pointed or bladed article.

As a precaution, all three had been taken to hospital the place their accidents had been assessed as not being life-threatening or life-changing.