Student protest footage released by Met Police

Police have released CCTV footage of people they wish to interview after Prince Charles's car was attacked during December's student protests.

The Metropolitan Police have issued the pictures taken from cameras in the Regent Street and Oxford Circus area of London on Thursday 9 December.

A convoy, including a car carrying the prince and the Duchess of Cornwall, was attacked in the area.

The protests were in response to the rise in tuition fees.

The Met's Operation Malone team is investigating the violence in the capital that day.

Police say the newly-released images and footage show a woman striking the royal car and causing damage to one of the convoy vehicles.

In one picture, the woman is seen with a man, whom police also wish to trace as a potential witness.

Officers are also keen to trace two men seen separately attacking the royal car.

Det Ch Supt Matthew Horne, who is leading the Operation Malone team, said: "We believe that most of the people whose pictures we have released may have committed serious offences of violent disorder and criminal damage in this area and urge them, or anybody who knows them, to come forward and speak to us.

This woman is one of the people that police wish to interview regarding the student protests

"We understand the importance of the right to protest, but people who break the law and endanger those who wish to protest peacefully by committing criminal offences must face the inevitable consequences of their actions.

"I would like to remind anybody involved in attacks of violence that we will investigate them and do everything in our power to bring them before a court.

"Those who are convicted of an offence will have to face the consequences of having a criminal record, which could have a potential impact on their future employment and travel."

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were travelling to the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in a distinctive Rolls-Royce Phantom VI when the incident occurred.

Their car was surrounded by as many as 20 demonstrators on Regent Street. One of the vehicle's windows was smashed and paint was thrown at it.

At least three metal dustbins were also hurled at two other cars in the convoy and the duchess was poked in the ribs through an open window. White paint was also thrown over the vehicle.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson ordered an internal review into the incident, which has been presented to Home Secretary Theresa May.

Operation Malone detectives are collating and trawling through hours of CCTV and footage gathered by police during the protests, to identify people for potential prosecution.