A 19-year-old man has been charged with a bomb hoax following the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham during a performance by comedian Peter Kay on Friday evening.

Bomb Hoax Leads to Arena Evacuation

Omar Majed, from Washwood Heath, Birmingham, has been charged with false communications relating to the incident. He has been remanded to appear before Birmingham magistrates on May 4th.

The evacuation was initiated after reports of a suspicious bag discovered near the 15,800-capacity venue. A comprehensive search of the arena by police revealed no suspicious items.

Disruption to Peter Kay Performance

Show Halted Mid-Performance

The incident caused significant disruption to Peter Kay’s ‘Better Late Than Never’ tour performance, abruptly halting the show approximately 45 minutes into the set. Audience members reported a sudden and confusing atmosphere as they were instructed to evacuate.

Witness Accounts

Steve Aspinall, who attended with his wife, initially thought the situation was part of the show. He described seeing two individuals approach Peter Kay and whisper to him before leaving the stage.

Emily Wilson, attending with her mother, a retired police officer, recounted feelings of anxiety, panic, and tears during the evacuation. She described a chaotic scene outside the arena with road closures and emergency vehicles.

Investigation and Aftermath

West Midlands Police confirmed the charge against Omar Majed and stated that public safety remains their top priority. The investigation led to Majed’s swift identification and arrest.

The arena is cooperating with the police investigation and is reviewing its security protocols to prevent similar incidents. The event was intended as a fundraiser for cancer research, but was overshadowed by the disruption.