A live show by comedian Peter Kay in Birmingham was stopped after a potential suspicious bag was found around the venue. The incident occurred at the Utilita Arena Birmingham during his latest tour, which supports cancer charities.
As of early Tuesday, the venue was evacuated on the advice of West Midlands Police. Audience members reported that Kay was pulled from the stage about 45 minutes into his performance.
The evacuation was precautionary. A 19-year-old man has been taken into custody for questioning. The venue, which can seat around 15,800 people, prioritized safety and security.
Official statements include:
“Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby.” and “We are assisting with an evacuation at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham after a potential suspicious bag was found.”.
No timeline has been shared regarding when the investigation will conclude. Ticket holders will be contacted about the incident.
This event follows heightened security concerns in the UK, where the terror threat level recently increased from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’ for the first time in over four years.