Birmingham Peter Kay fans have voiced strong criticism over what they describe as a 'lack of bag checks' following a bomb scare at the Utilita Arena. The venue has since defended its security protocols, citing a tailored approach to venue search operations.
Evacuation During Peter Kay's Set
The Utilita Arena Birmingham was evacuated on Friday night shortly after the 52-year-old comedian's set came to an abrupt halt just 45 minutes in. The incident prompted a police response and led to the arrest of a 19-year-old man on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence.
Several attendees have since taken to social media and spoken to BirminghamLive to express their concerns about the security checks at the venue. One fan stated: 'I was at Peter Kay and the staff and security were absolutely disgusting. Bags weren't being checked.' Another attendee, a father whose daughter was at the show, called for enhanced security measures, saying: 'My daughter went and said the security was chaos, hardly checking bags. I think their security needs stepping up.'
Utilita Arena's Response
In response to these criticisms, a spokesperson for Utilita Arena explained that the venue utilizes an advanced security system known as Evolv. 'Our Evolv security system uses advanced sensors and AI technology to screen everyone and their bags as they enter the arena — helping security teams identify potential threats quickly and accurately, supported by additional bag searches as required,' the spokesperson said.
The venue emphasized its collaboration with local and national authorities, constantly reviewing security measures to ensure they are effective and proportionate. 'We employ a range of security measures, both visible and behind the scenes, across all NEC venues, during events and at all other times. These measures include tailored venue search operations, strategically placed security personnel, multi-purpose dog response teams, intelligence-led CCTV monitoring, and partnerships with West Midlands Police, who often deploy additional resources. While you may not see all security activity, please be assured that it is ongoing, often behind the scenes,' the spokesperson added.
Arrest and Show Continuation
Following the evacuation, a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence and was being questioned by detectives in custody. Utilita bosses have confirmed that Peter Kay's show will go ahead at the arena tonight. Fans who were disappointed by the abrupt end to Friday's performance will be contacted with information about 'next steps' regarding tickets or rescheduling.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about security at large entertainment venues, with some fans calling for more visible and thorough bag checks to ensure safety without compromising the event experience.
