Five arrests were made during protests outside the O2 Forum in London amid ongoing demonstrations sparked by Bob Vylan’s controversial political activism and performances, illuminating the fraught intersection of music, activism, and public order.
Five individuals were arrested during two separate protests outside the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London, on the evening of November 11, 2025, coinciding with a performance by the politically outspoken band Bob Vylan. The Metropolitan Police intervened amidst the demonstrations, which included participants from a pro-Palestine protest and a ‘Stop the Hate’ rally. Among the arrests was a man from the pro-Palestine group detained for chants referencing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Another arrest from the ‘Stop the Hate’ protest followed a physical altercation between demonstrators, leading to suspicion of common assault. Three additional arrests were made on grounds of breaching Public Order Act conditions, involving two from the ‘Stop the Hate’ protest and one from the pro-Palestine group. Police had earlier imposed strict conditions on the protests, including designated areas for each group and a mandated end time of 9.30pm to forestall serious disorder. Officers remained on site as the events concluded.
The political charge surrounding these protests reflects ongoing tensions linked to Bob Vylan’s performances. The band has previously courted controversy for their militant stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, most notably at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, where frontman Bobby Vylan led his audience in chanting “death to the IDF.” This sparked widespread discussion and backlash. In a subsequent surprise gig at The 100 Club in Soho in July 2025, when fans attempted to resurrect those same chants, Bobby Vylan swiftly intervened, warning them the chants could land him in “trouble” before steering the crowd toward chanting “Free, free Palestine” instead. This incident highlights the delicate positioning the band holds within the fraught debate, balancing vocal political expression with attempts to moderate direct incitement during their shows.
The protests on November 11 demonstrate how these contentious themes continue to ripple beyond music venues, prompting active demonstrations and necessitating police oversight to manage public order. The Met spokesperson’s statement clarified that the imposed Public Order Act conditions aimed “to prevent serious disruption and serious disorder,” underscoring the authorities’ approach to managing the politically sensitive environment around the band’s performances and associated protests. The localized nature of the protests, with clear spatial divisions in Kentish Town, further illustrates efforts to minimise conflict between opposing activist groups in this highly charged climate.
This series of events embodies the intersection of culture, politics, and public safety that the Bob Vylan phenomenon has come to represent in London. While the band’s music serves as a platform for political advocacy, the reactions it incites, from fan chants to organised protests, reveal the complexities authorities and communities face in navigating freedom of expression and maintaining public order amid divisive geopolitical issues.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] MyLondon News – Paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 5
- [2] GB News – Paragraph 1, 3
- [3] Evening Standard – Paragraph 2
- [4] The Independent – Paragraph 2
- [5] MyLondon News – Paragraph 1
- [6] Evening Standard – Paragraph 2
- [7] Evening Standard – Paragraph 2
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be fresh, with no substantial evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date of similar content is November 11, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests an effort to provide a comprehensive overview. No similar narratives were found published more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to Bobby Vylan and the Metropolitan Police spokesperson are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content. Variations in quote wording were not observed, suggesting consistency in reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from MyLondon News, a regional news outlet. While it is a legitimate source, it may not have the same level of authority as national or international news organisations. The Metropolitan Police and Bob Vylan are verifiable entities with public records and legitimate websites, lending credibility to the report.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The events described align with known controversies surrounding Bob Vylan’s performances, particularly the ‘death to the IDF’ chants at the Glastonbury Festival. The Metropolitan Police’s involvement and the arrests are plausible given the context of previous incidents. The report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a notable concern. The language and tone are consistent with UK reporting standards, and the structure is focused on the main events without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a news report, without unusual drama or vagueness.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents fresh and original content, with direct quotes unique to this report. While the source is a regional news outlet, the entities involved are verifiable, and the events described are plausible. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is a concern. Overall, the report appears credible, but the medium confidence rating reflects the need for further corroboration from additional sources.
