A man faces charges after an alleged bomb hoax led to the evacuation of Utilita Arena Birmingham during a Peter Kay performance. The incident unfolded quickly on Friday night, with the comedian being rushed off stage and the venue cleared within a short span of 45 minutes due to the discovery of a suspicious bag.
Audience members were left bewildered during the evacuation as they received no immediate explanation. A member of the production team took to the stage to announce the show’s abrupt end around 8:45 pm.
West Midlands Police has disclosed that Omar Majed, a 19-year-old from Washwood Heath, Birmingham, has been charged with false communications related to the bomb hoax. Majed is currently in custody and is set to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on May 4.
The police stated that the arena evacuation was prompted by a report of a suspicious bag, but subsequent searches found nothing of concern. Authorities expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation and emphasized their ongoing commitment to public safety.
Images from the scene depicted a large police presence searching the arena after the evacuation. Attendees reportedly exited the venue calmly and swiftly following the security alert.
Utilita Arena Birmingham issued a statement confirming the evacuation as a precautionary measure based on police advice regarding a potentially suspicious bag. They assured that all customers were safely evacuated and that the venue was secure, promising direct communication with ticket holders regarding the incident.