Latest news with #ReeceRichards
Sky News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
CCTV footage shows Sex Education actor pepper sprayed by police - as watchdog finds use of force 'reasonable'
Why you can trust Sky News CCTV footage has been released of a Sex Education actor being pepper-sprayed by officers who wrongly suspected him of being involved in a police chase. The police watchdog found the force used to detain Reece Richards, who appeared as Eugene in two episodes of the hit Netflix series, was "reasonable" and did not uphold an allegation he was discriminated against because of his race. Mr Richards, who was touring in Hairspray The Musical at the time, said he was thrown to the ground on 4 September last year following a performance of the stage show in Fulham, southwest London. He said he was the "victim of an unlawful arrest and police misconduct... just yards from my front door" and the incident made it "painfully clear that racial profiling remains a significant issue", in a social media post. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation after Mr Richards and his mother made complaints relating to the level of force used, the officers' treatment of him and an allegation he was treated in a discriminatory manner because he was black. CCTV footage released at the end of the probe shows Mr Richards walking along Fulham Palace Road, wearing a cap and headphones, with his mobile phone in his left hand. He is seen dropping the suitcase he is pulling as the driver being pursued by police crashes off camera. A man runs past him followed by a Metropolitan Police officer before Mr Richards drops his backpack and runs in a different direction. He is then seen walking backwards before kneeling on the ground as an officer who had stopped him holds his PAVA spray towards the actor. Two other officers run on to the scene and grab Mr Richards, who is taken to the ground in a struggle before one of the officers sprays him and he is handcuffed. The IOPC said its investigation "found no indication that any officers acted in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence". The watchdog also did not uphold complaints about the officers' use of force against him or that officers treated him differently due to his race. IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: "I want to acknowledge the impact that this incident has had on Reece Richards. He was an innocent bystander and this would have been a frightening experience. "Mr Richards' complaint detailed his understandable belief that he was detained and arrested because he was black, although the suspects were white. "We found that officers were responding to a fast-moving incident and - given the only description of the suspects was that one was wearing dark clothing and their location - it was reasonable that the officer who saw Mr Richards and detained him thought he was a suspect. "The evidence indicated that the officers' use of force was reasonable in the circumstances they encountered and perceived and Mr Richards was de-arrested as soon officers confirmed he was not involved." The IOPC said Mr Richards, whose mother had arrived on the scene, was de-arrested 14 minutes after he was stopped and provided with aftercare. The Met's Commander Owain Richards said: "We are pleased the IOPC was able to determine the officers acted in good faith and appropriately. "This was a fast-moving incident during which they were trying to detain three men who had fled from police during a pursuit. Their use of force was reasonable in the circumstances. "Mr Richards was swiftly de-arrested as soon as officers confirmed he was not a suspect, but we absolutely acknowledge how distressing it must have been to be caught up in such an incident. "We would be happy to meet him to discuss what happened should he wish to do so."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sex Education star's arrest was not because he was black, watchdog rules
The arrest of a Sex Education TV star was not because he was black, the police watchdog has found. Reece Richards, who plays Eugene in the Netflix series, said he was sprayed with an incapacitating liquid, thrown to the ground and kicked by officers when he was arrested in Fulham, west London, in September last year. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said an investigation found 'no indication that any officers acted in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence'. The watchdog also did not uphold a complaint by Richards that he was treated in a discriminatory manner because he was black. Amanda Rowe, the IOPC director, acknowledged the actor was an innocent bystander and that it 'would have been a frightening experience'. She went on: 'Mr Richards' complaint detailed his understandable belief that he was detained and arrested because he was black, although the suspects were white. 'We found that officers were responding to a fast-moving incident and – given the only description of the suspects was that one was wearing dark clothing and their location – it was reasonable that the officer who saw Mr Richards and detained him thought he was a suspect. 'The evidence indicated that the officers' use of force was reasonable in the circumstances they encountered and perceived and Mr Richards was de-arrested as soon as officers confirmed he was not involved.' Richards said his arrest took place 'just yards from my front door' after he had finished performing in a production of Hairspray The Musical in the early hours of Sept 4 last year. Credit: Reece Richards/Instagram The Metropolitan Police officers were pursuing a car flagged as wanted when the vehicle crashed and those inside ran off, the IOPC said. The only description given to the officers was that one suspect was in dark clothing. CCTV footage showed Richards walking along Fulham Palace Road, near to the collision, when one of the suspects ran past him, chased by an officer. Richards dropped his backpack and ran, the watchdog said. An officer then mistook Richards for one of the suspects, stopped the actor and withdrew his Pava spray, a synthetic pepper spray, but did not discharge it, the IOPC said. Two more officers arrived and told Richards to get to the ground. There was a 'struggle' and one of the officers Pava-sprayed Richards and he was handcuffed, the IOPC said. The actor told them he was innocent and his mother later arrived at the scene. Richards was de-arrested 14 minutes after he was stopped, the IOPC said. The actor said on Instagram after the incident that he was the victim of an 'unlawful arrest'. He added: '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'. 'Moments later, three more officers ran at me. They pepper sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground 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.' Owain Richards, the Met Police Commander, said: 'We are pleased the IOPC was able to determine the officers acted in good faith and appropriately. 'This was a fast-moving incident during which they were trying to detain three men who had fled from police during a pursuit. Their use of force was reasonable in the circumstances. 'Mr Richards was swiftly de-arrested as soon as officers confirmed he was not a suspect, but we absolutely acknowledge how distressing it must have been to be caught up in such an incident. 'We would be happy to meet him to discuss what happened should he wish to do so.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Watchdog finds police use of force in arrest of Sex Education actor 'reasonable'
Reece Richards was mistakenly arrested by cops who mistook him for another individual they were in pursuit of According to an investigation by a police watchdog, police officers acted appropriately when they used force to arrest Sex Education actor Reece Richards during a chaotic early-morning pursuit in west London. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded that while Richards was mistakenly identified as a suspect and later de-arrested, the officers' actions were "reasonable in the circumstances" and did not warrant disciplinary or criminal proceedings. The watchdog also rejected claims that Richards, who is black, was treated in a discriminatory manner during the arrest. Richards, known for playing Eugene in the hit Netflix series, had just finished a performance of Hairspray The Musical and was walking home in Fulham when the incident occurred in the early hours of September 4, 2024. In a now-deleted Instagram post that he uploaded shortly after the arrest, the actor described the harrowing encounter which took place just "yards from [his] front door". Richards alleged that he was pepper sprayed, kicked, and thrown to the ground by Metropolitan Police officers. However, CCTV reviewed by the IOPC provided more context. Officers had been pursuing a vehicle linked to a prior offence when it crashed near Fulham Palace Road. The suspects fled on foot, and the only description given at the time was that one man was wearing dark clothing. Footage showed Richards walking near the scene just as one of the suspects ran past him, with a police officer in pursuit. Richards reportedly dropped his backpack and ran, which led one of the officers to believe he was involved. A single officer stopped Richards and drew his PAVA spray, which is an incapacitant similar to pepper spray, but it was not used at that point. A struggle ensued when two more officers arrived, and one ultimately deployed the spray. Richards was restrained, handcuffed, and told to stay on the ground. The actor, who was not involved in the crime, was released 14 minutes later once officers confirmed his identity and realised he was innocent. His mother arrived at the scene shortly after. While telling his followers about the incident, Richards wrote that he was "confused" and "unable to understand why [he] was suddenly being treated like a criminal." He added: "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'. Moments later, three more officers ran at me. They pepper sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground 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." Regional Director at the IOPC Amanda Rowe said she understood how terrifying the situation must have been for Richards as an innocent bystander. She shared: "Mr Richards' complaint detailed his understandable belief that he was detained and arrested because he was black. We found that officers were responding to a fast-moving incident... and it was reasonable that the officer who saw Mr Richards and detained him thought he was a suspect." She added that officers de-arrested him as soon as it was clear he was not involved in the offence. Commander Owain Richards of the Met Police backed her up, saying the officers "acted in good faith" during a "fast-moving incident". He continued: "We absolutely acknowledge how distressing it must have been to be caught up in such an incident. We would be happy to meet him to discuss what happened, should he wish to do so." Richards has not commented on the watchdog's ruling.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Reasonable force' used during arrest of actor
The use of force by Met Police officers during the arrest of the actor Reece Richards "was reasonable in the circumstances", the police watchdog has found. The star of Netflix's Sex Education said he was pepper sprayed, thrown to the ground and kicked when he was arrested in Fulham, west London, in September. Officers had mistaken him for a criminal suspect. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) also did not uphold a complaint by Mr Richards that he was treated in a discriminatory manner because he was black, and said no officers would be disciplined. The Met Police said it was "pleased" with the decision but acknowledged the incident must have been "distressing" for the actor. Mr Richards said he was on his way home from a West End performance of Hairspray the Musical on 4 September, when he said he witnessed a car crash and two men running away. When he pointed out to police the direction in which the two men had fled, he was was restrained by four officers who sat on him, worsening some existing injuries, he said. Mr Richards and his mother later complained to the IOPC, claiming false arrest and racial profiling. The IOPC's director Amanda Rowe acknowledged that the incident would have had an impact on the actor. "He was an innocent bystander and this would have been a frightening experience," she said. "Mr Richards' complaint detailed his understandable belief that he was detained and arrested because he was black, although the suspects were white. "We found that officers were responding to a fast-moving incident and - given the only description of the suspects was that one was wearing dark clothing and their location - it was reasonable that the officer who saw Mr Richards and detained him thought he was a suspect. "The evidence indicated that the officers' use of force was reasonable in the circumstances they encountered... and Mr Richards was de-arrested as soon officers confirmed he was not involved." Officer investigated over Netflix actor's arrest Sex Education actor's arrest to be investigated Police probe actor's mistaken pepper-spray arrest The officers were pursuing a car when the vehicle crashed and those inside ran off, the IOPC said. The only description given to the officers was that one suspect was in dark clothing. CCTV footage showed Mr Richards walking along Fulham Palace Road, near the collision, when one of the suspects ran past him, chased by an officer. The actor dropped his backpack and ran, the watchdog said. A lone officer then stopped Mr Richards, mistaking him for one of the suspects, before two more officers arrived and told him to get to the ground. Following a "struggle", one of the officers used PAVA a synthetic pepper spray - on Mr Richards and he was handcuffed, the IOPC said, before being de-arrested a few minutes later. The actor said on Instagram after the incident that he was the victim of an "unlawful arrest". He added: "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'. "Moments later, three more officers ran at me. They pepper sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground 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." Met Police Cdr Owain Richards said: "We are pleased the IOPC was able to determine the officers acted in good faith and appropriately. "This was a fast-moving incident during which they were trying to detain three men who had fled from police during a pursuit. Their use of force was reasonable in the circumstances. "Mr Richards was swiftly de-arrested as soon as officers confirmed he was not a suspect, but we absolutely acknowledge how distressing it must have been to be caught up in such an incident." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Sex Education actor's arrest to be investigated Independent Office for Police Conduct Metropolitan Police
ITV News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Use of force during arrest of Sex Education Reece Richards star ‘reasonable', watchdog finds
The use of force by officers to arrest Sex Education star Reece Richards after he was mistaken for a suspect 'was reasonable in the circumstances', the police watchdog found. Actor Reece Richards shared footage of the moment he says Met Police officers "pepper-sprayed" and "kicked" him, as he was returning home to his mother after performing in musical 'Hairspray' in September last year The video showed multiple officers piling on top of him, while his mother "screamed" in footage filmed from a nearby address. Following an investiagtion, The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found 'no indication that any officers acted in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence'. The watchdog also did not uphold a complaint by Richards that he was treated in a discriminatory manner because he was black. The Netflix actor, who has been in 'You' and 'Sex Education', was walking to his home in Fulham after finishing a performance as Seaweed in the UK tour of Hairspray, before the incident. He wrote on his Instagram post: "They pepper-sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground, and handcuffed me ... multiple officers holding me down forcing my head into the ground. " "I could hear my mum nearby, screaming and crying, begging them to let me go." He continued: "The whole experience was embarrassing, deeply upsetting and exhausting." IOPC director Amanda Rowe acknowledged the actor was an innocent bystander and that it 'would have been a frightening experience'. She went on: 'Mr Richards' complaint detailed his understandable belief that he was detained and arrested because he was black, although the suspects were white. 'We found that officers were responding to a fast-moving incident and – given the only description of the suspects was that one was wearing dark clothing and their location – it was reasonable that the officer who saw Mr Richards and detained him thought he was a suspect. 'The evidence indicated that the officers' use of force was reasonable in the circumstances they encountered and perceived and Mr Richards was de-arrested as soon officers confirmed he was not involved.' CCTV footage showed Richards walking along Fulham Palace Road, near to the collision, when one of the suspects ran past him, chased by an officer. Richards dropped his backpack and ran, the watchdog said. A lone officer then mistook Richards for one of the suspects, stopped the actor and withdrew his PAVA spray but did not discharge it, the IOPC said. Two more officers arrived and told Richards to get to the ground. There was a 'struggle' and one of the officers PAVA-sprayed Richards and he was handcuffed, the IOPC said. The actor told them he was innocent and his mother later arrived at the scene. Richards was de-arrested 14 minutes after he was stopped, the IOPC said. Met Police Commander Owain Richards said: 'We are pleased the IOPC was able to determine the officers acted in good faith and appropriately. 'This was a fast-moving incident during which they were trying to detain three men who had fled from police during a pursuit. Their use of force was reasonable in the circumstances. 'Mr Richards was swiftly de-arrested as soon as officers confirmed he was not a suspect, but we absolutely acknowledge how distressing it must have been to be caught up in such an incident. 'We would be happy to meet him to discuss what happened should he wish to do so.'
