Reece Richards, an actor known for his roles in Hairspray and Sex Education, criticized the police watchdog for its refusal to consider race in its investigation into his arrest by Metropolitan Police. After witnessing a car crash in west London, Richards provided information about the fleeing suspects. Instead of pursuing them, officers violently arrested him, pepper-spraying and handcuffing him while dismissing his identity as a performer. Richards described the trauma of the encounter and the fear for his mother’s health during the incident. He emphasized the challenges faced by Black individuals in navigating societal perceptions of danger.
You look at things that are traps and you try to navigate your life in a way that doesn't trigger those responses... I’m not part of this. I’m a performer.”
When the officers arrived, instead of pursuing the suspects, an officer began shouting at me to get on the ground and pointed a pepper spray at me.
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