Teen Charged After Bomb Hoax Forces Evacuation at Peter Kay Birmingham Concert
A 19-year-old man faces criminal charges after a fake bomb threat cut short a Peter Kay performance in Birmingham, forcing thousands of fans to evacuate.
Teen Faces Court Over Bomb Hoax at Peter Kay Concert
A 19-year-old man from Birmingham has been charged in connection with a bomb hoax that brought a Peter Kay comedy show to an abrupt halt, forcing the evacuation of thousands of concertgoers at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
Who Has Been Charged?
Omar Majed, a resident of Washwood Heath, Birmingham, has been formally charged with making false communications. He is scheduled to appear before Birmingham magistrates on Monday, according to a statement released by West Midlands Police.
What Happened on the Night?
The incident unfolded on Friday evening while Peter Kay was approximately 45 minutes into his live performance. A report was made regarding a suspicious bag that had allegedly been left within the arena, prompting venue staff and emergency services to act swiftly. The comedian was rushed off stage as a precautionary measure, and the entire venue was evacuated to ensure public safety.
Following thorough searches of the premises, West Midlands Police confirmed that no suspicious items were discovered.
In an official statement, police said: "Following searches, nothing suspicious was found. We are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always, our priority is the safety of the public."
Venue Response and Next Steps for Ticket Holders
The NEC Group confirmed that all ticket holders affected by the Friday night cancellation would be contacted directly through the outlet from which they originally purchased their tickets, outlining the next steps available to them.
Utilita Arena Birmingham took to social media platform X on Saturday morning to thank attendees for their calm and cooperative response during the evacuation. The venue also confirmed that Saturday's scheduled show would proceed as planned, while detailing the robust security measures it has in place to protect audience members.
Part of a Nationwide Tour for Charity
The disrupted show forms part of Peter Kay's highly anticipated "Better Late Than Never" national tour — a significant undertaking in which all profits are being donated to 12 leading cancer charities across the UK.
The beloved comedian is still scheduled to perform at several additional venues throughout the tour, including shows in Belfast, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Leeds.
