Netflix star ‘pepper sprayed and thrown to ground’ by Met Police as his mum watched on screaming

Sex Education star Reece Richards has claimed he was ‘pepper sprayed and thrown to the ground’ on September 4 when walking back from appearing in West End musical Hairspray.

The star, who played Eugene on the hit Netflix show, claims he was wrongly arrested after witnessing a crash in Fulham, West London.

The Metropolitan Police say an investigation is underway.

Taking to Instagram, he issued a statement which said on Wednesday, 4th September between 12:38 am and 2:30 am, he was violently detained by police in Fulham, just yards from his front door. 

The statement said: ‘I’ve heard stories about incidents like this, but I never imagined it would happen to me. This is my story.

‘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.”‘

Richards then claimed officers ‘ran at [him]’ before they ‘pepper-sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground, and handcuffed me’.

He continued: ‘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.’

The actor – who has also appeared in Netflix show You as Kenneth – explained how he asked his mum to call Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, the director of Hairspray, who is also a family friend and well-known face.

‘Brenda arrived around 20 minutes later, and immediately, the officers’ attitude shifted. After reviewing body cam footage, they agreed to release me,’ Richards said.

‘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 since told me that the culprits were also handcuffed but were not pepper-sprayed.

‘At the time, I was carrying a 23 kg 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.’

The actor said he’s launched formal complaints with the IOPC and Met Police, but hasn’t yet been able to access the body cam or CCTV footage. However, he did share footage filmed by a neighbour, in which shouting and commotion can be heard.

‘What I seek is accountability for how I was treated and to raise awareness that incidents like this are still happening,’ he said.

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‘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 police 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. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story.’

The Metropolitan Police told : ‘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.’

The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment.