A 19-year-old man remains in custody following a bomb hoax that forced the evacuation of comedian Peter Kay's performance at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Friday evening. The show was halted mid-performance after a ‘potential suspicious bag’ was discovered, prompting police to usher Kay off stage and clear the venue.
Police Confirm No Suspicious Items Found
West Midlands Police confirmed in an update on Saturday morning that after thorough searches of the arena, no items of a suspicious nature were found. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence and is now being questioned by detectives. Authorities thanked the public for their cooperation, stating that safety remains their top priority.
Witness Describes Eerie Atmosphere
Steve Aspinall, a concertgoer from Bideford, Devon, described the moment the show was interrupted. About 45 minutes into the performance, two staff members approached the stage, whispered to Kay, and quickly escorted him off. Aspinall initially thought it was part of the act, but the atmosphere turned eerie as the audience was instructed to locate security guards and await announcements. Despite the confusion, the evacuation was calm and orderly, with no panic.
Venue Statement and Next Steps
A spokesperson for the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), which operates the Utilita Arena, stated that the evacuation was a precautionary measure on police advice after a suspicious bag was found nearby. The venue confirmed that all attendees were safely evacuated and that the arena is now secure. Ticket holders will be contacted directly regarding rescheduling or refunds.
