Birmingham Green Day graffiti fan caught red-handed
A RED-FACED rock fan got more than she bargained for when she decided to scrawl graffiti on the wall of Birmingham's showpiece venue.
Sunday Mercury
A MOP AND BUCKET.
As she waited outside the revamped LG Arena at Birmingham's NEC for the doors to open, temptation got the better of her.
She grabbed a marker pen from her pocket and scribbled a few words on the wall, unaware that CCTV cameras were rolling.
The Arena has just undergone a £29 million facelift, making it the envy of Europe, and proud staff didn't take kindly to the vandalism.
"It was at the Green Day concert on Tuesday," revealed Phil Mead, managing director, arenas for The NEC Group, the man responsible for overseeing the operation of the LG Arena, The NIA and The Ticket Factory.
"A member of staff spotted the graffiti and was outraged.
"Everyone is very proud of what we have achieved here, and he simply wasn't going to stand for this sort of thing.
"A member of the security team went out to where the fans were queuing and said: 'Whoever did this graffiti, we have you on camera and we know who you are.
"'Unless you step forward and apologise, your ticket will be cancelled and we will not allow you in to see Green Day.
"Within moments a girl put her hand up and admitted she was the culprit.
"The security guard presented her with a mop and bucket and invited her to clean up her own mess.
"This she did, and apologised too."
The Green Day gigs on Tuesday and Wednesday last week were the first full 15,000-capacity sell-outs since the refurbished venue opened.
It now boasts new dining areas, food outlets, bars and a range of VIP areas, including the plush Sanctum Restaurant where chefs cook top quality dishes in a theatre kitchen setting.
The number of toilets has been increased, and aisles around the main arena have been widened for ease of access.
Other big names booked in for the launch season include Backstreet Boys, Deep Purple, Jonas Brothers, James Morrison and Status Quo.
*For ticket details click www.lgarena.co.uk or call 0121 780 4141.
LG Arena Birmingham
NEC Birmingham
National Indoor Arena Birmingham