A teenager has been charged after a bomb hoax forced the evacuation of a Peter Kay show in Birmingham, with the comedian escorted off stage mid-performance following a report of a suspicious bag.
Omar Majed, 19, of Washwood Heath, Birmingham, was arrested and later charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax. West Midlands Police confirmed that after searching the Utilita Arena on Friday night, officers found nothing suspicious. Majed has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on 4 May.
Evacuation and audience reaction
The incident unfolded about 45 minutes into Kay’s performance, when two members of staff approached the stage, whispered to the comedian and escorted him off. A police spokesperson said an evacuation was ordered after a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area. The spokesperson added: “Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always our priority is the safety of the public.”
Witness Steve Aspinall, who was at the gig with his wife, said: “Two guys came on, one with a mic and headphones, one guy whispered to Peter Kay and then he and Peter Kay shot off down the side.” Aspinall, from Bideford, Devon, said the audience was told to look for security guards and listen out for announcements. “To be honest, I thought it was part of the show at first. It was a strange atmosphere, eerie, just confused really about what was happening. But it was alright and everyone was calm and left quite quickly with no panic.”
Another attendee, Miranda Richardson, described the evacuation as “very swift” and “calm and swift”, with staff assisting the exit. Footage from inside the arena captured audible gasps from the audience as a production team member announced an immediate evacuation due to “unforeseen circumstances”. One audience member was heard asking: “What? Is this a joke?” A 55‑year‑old fan said she was “scared stiff” by the confusion.
Security measures at Utilita Arena Birmingham
The Utilita Arena Birmingham has stressed that the safety of customers and colleagues is its first priority, and its security arrangements include both overt and covert measures. The venue uses the Evolv Express system, a state-of-the-art security screening tool that relies on advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to scan everyone and their bags as they enter. In a statement, the arena said: “Our Evolv security system uses advanced sensors and AI technology to screen everyone and their bags as they enter the arena, helping security teams identify potential threats quickly and accurately, supported by additional bag searches as required.”
Under the venue’s bag policy, attendees are encouraged to bring no bags or only small bags — no larger than A4 size, with a maximum of two compartments. Rucksacks are not permitted. The arena also deploys multi‑purpose dog response teams, strategically placed security personnel, and intelligence‑led CCTV monitoring. The venue works closely with local and national authorities, including West Midlands Police.
Some attendees have previously criticised the arena’s bag checks, claiming security staff were “hardly checking” bags. The Utilita Arena responded by highlighting the Evolv system’s capabilities and noting that security measures are continuously reviewed. After Friday’s incident, the arena said: “Our security measures include several overt and covert security measures, so whilst you may not see all operational security activity, you should be assured that it is ongoing.”
In a statement on X, the arena confirmed that the Peter Kay event scheduled for Saturday evening went ahead as planned, adding: “West Midlands Police are satisfied with the security measures in place.” The arena also thanked attendees for their cooperation, which it said “ensured a swift and safe evacuation”. Ticket holders for Friday’s performance are being contacted about next steps from their original point of purchase.
