Man charged over bomb hoax after Peter Kay show evacuated
A man has been charged over a bomb hoax after a live show by comedian Peter Kay in Birmingham was stopped when a “potentially suspicious bag” was found around the venue.The Utilita Arena Birmingham was evacuated and a 19-year-old man was taken into custody, West Midlands police said on Friday evening.On Saturday, the force said: “A man has been charged in connection with the events which led to the evacuation of the Utilita Arena in Birmingham last night.“Omar Majed, 19, has been charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax,” a police spokesperson said.“Majed, of Washwood Heath, Birmingham, has been remanded to appear before magistrates in Birmingham on 4 May.
“An evacuation of the arena was ordered yesterday evening after a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area.“Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their cooperation and understanding,” the spokesperson added.“As always our priority is the safety of the public.”Audience members reported that Kay was pulled from the stage about 45 minutes into his performance, and the crowd were asked to leave the venue without being told what was happening.Steve Aspinall, who was at the show with his wife, told the Press Association: “Two guys came on – one with a mic and headphones.
One guy whispered to Peter Kay and then he and Peter Kay shot off down the side.”He said the audience was told to look for security guards and listen out for any announcements.“To be honest, I thought it was part of the show at first,” said Aspinall.Miranda Richardson, 52, a publican from Northampton, said: “It was very swift.One minute [Kay’s] on stage and the gig is great, then two of the event team walk on stage straight to him, quick word and he’s ushered off.
”The arena said in a statement on Friday: “Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby.“The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority.We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure.”The venue said ticket holders would be contacted.
GameStop shares fall 10% after CEO skirts questions over eBay acquisition details
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AI facial recognition oversight lagging far behind technology, watchdogs warn
Britain’s biometrics watchdogs have warned that national oversight of AI-powered face scanning to catch criminals is lagging far behind the technology’s rapid growth.With the Metropolitan police almost doubling the number of faces they scan in London over the past 12 months and a rising use of the technology by retailers in the UK, Prof William Webster, the biometrics commissioner for England and Wales, said the “slow pace of legislation was trying to catch up with the real world” and “the cart had gone before the horse”.Dr Brian Plastow, who holds the same role in Scotland, warned the technology was “nowhere near as effective as the police claim it is” and said there was a “patchwork legal framework” throughout the UK. He said in England and Wales, police were “really just marking their own homework”.The watchdogs said new laws were needed to govern when and how police forces used live facial recognition technology, with a new regulator to clamp down on misuse
Guilty until proven innocent: shoppers falsely identified by facial recognition system struggle to clear their names
When Ian Clayton, a retired health and safety professional from Chester, popped into Home Bargains one February lunchtime, he was suddenly approached by a stern-looking member of staff.“Excuse me, can you please put everything down and leave the shop now?” she said. Clayton recalled how he was stunned, and it was only as he was briskly walked past the tills towards the exit that he stopped to ask what he had done.“You’ve come up on our system called Facewatch as a shoplifter,” came the reply. “There’s a poster in the window
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