A comedian Peter Kay’s performance at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena was interrupted by a bomb hoax, leading to the evacuation of the 15,800-capacity venue. Authorities arrested a 19-year-old man at the scene, who remains in custody on suspicion of the offense.
Police Update on the Incident
Following a thorough search of the arena on Friday night, West Midlands Police confirmed no suspicious items were found. A spokesperson stated: “Following searches of the Utilita Arena last night no items of a suspicious nature were found. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence and remains in custody this morning as our enquiries continue. We’re grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always our priority is the safety of the public.”
The evacuation occurred shortly after 8 p.m., just 45 minutes into Kay’s “Better Late Than Never” tour show. Emergency services responded swiftly, with police vehicles and sniffer dogs on site as crowds exited calmly but with apprehension.
Eyewitness Experiences
Steve Aspinall from Bideford, Devon, who attended with his wife, initially thought the interruption was part of the act. “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,” he recounted. “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.”
Emily Wilson, 34, and her mother Rayner Wilson, 69, described heightened anxiety during the evacuation. “We were watching the show for about 40 minutes, everyone was laughing and suddenly Peter gets escorted off stage and a stage hand comes on to tell us to evacuate the premises immediately,” Wilson explained. “As we got out, I immediately started to panic when I saw road closures outside the arena steps and emergency vehicles. I then heard an emergency worker say bomb scare… I burst into tears and felt very sick, my heart racing.” The pair, whose tickets supported cancer charity efforts, opted for a taxi home instead of public transport.
Richard Warner, attending with his wheelchair-using wife Jo, also mistook the event for a stunt. “Just before the show started, a member of staff came over… She also said that when you think the show has finished, stay where you are, because it’s not the end of the performance,” he said. “Thousands leaving not in panic but some apprehension… I’m still confused as to what happened.”
Venue Response and Announcement
A video captured the onstage announcement: “Ladies and gentlemen, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are going to have to stop the show. So, we’re going to put the house lights up, and can you please follow the instructions given to you from the house staff, stewards and security. Thank you.” Audience members voiced confusion, with some asking, “What? Is this a joke?”
A spokesperson for the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), which operates the arena, noted: “Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby. The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority. We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure. Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course.”
Roads near the arena became gridlocked during the search, but the public cooperated fully with instructions from stewards and security.
