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10 December 2010
Last updated at 14:58 ET
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Amateur footage of the attack on the Rolls Royce carrying the royal couple
The Metropolitan Police have launched a major criminal investigation into the disorder in London in recent weeks as part of student protests.
The force said a "significant number" of protesters had been "intent on violence", and people suspected of criminal behaviour would be prosecuted.
A car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall was attacked during violent scenes in London on Thursday.
MPs voted to allow university tuition fees to rise to as much as £9,000.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said it had launched an investigation into "the student disorder seen across London between 10 November and 10 December".
The force said it supported "the public's democratic right to peacefully protest".
"Whilst a large majority of protesters came to demonstrate peacefully, a significant number came intent on violence.
"This will not be tolerated and anyone identified as being actively involved in criminality at the student protests will be prosecuted."
During three previous days of national action by student protesters there were scuffles with police and numerous arrests.
The latest demonstration by thousands of students in London, on the day MPs voted on the reforms, involved the worst violence.
Protesters largely took over Parliament Square and pressed against police lines in front of the Houses of Parliament.
Mounted police were used to control crowds, at one point charging a group of protesters. Hundreds were contained on Westminster Bridge for a time by officers.
Protesters threw flares, sticks, snooker balls and paint balls, according to police. After nightfall, riot police forced back protesters who were smashing windows at the Treasury and the Supreme Court.
Then at 1915 GMT, protesters launched an attack on the royal couple's car as it passed along a busy Regent Street. The Rolls Royce was kicked, splashed with paint and a window was smashed to chants of "off with their heads".
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating a claim that 20-year-old Middlesex University student Alfie Meadows suffered serious head injuries after being hit on the head with a police truncheon.
The Met Police referred the incident to the commission, which is appealing for witnesses, early on Friday.
The IPCC said it received three further complaints about the Met Police at Thursday's protests.
Twelve officers and 43 protesters were injured. Scotland Yard said 33 people were arrested, most of whom were released on bail, and no-one had been charged.
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David Cameron: "There were quite a number of people who clearly were there wanting to pursue violence"
Students have criticised police tactics, particularly of holding demonstrators in a small area, known as "kettling".
Simon Hardy, of the National Campaign against Fees and Cuts, said: "The violence we witnessed yesterday from the police, before anything had been done by the protesters, is typical of how the Met has responded to these demonstrations.
"They turned up in riot gear, with horses, batons and shields. They said they wanted people to leave to Victoria Embankment and then 'kettled' them and then started beating people.
"Anyone who tries to resist is then told they are being violent."
But the Met Police Federation said officers acted with professionalism and selflessness and that, if they had not, the consequences would have been "unthinkable".
Prime Minister David Cameron has said lessons must be learned from a security lapse which allowed the attack on the Prince of Wales' car.
Met Police chief Sir Paul Stephenson called the attack shocking and said the royal couple should be commended for their fortitude.
He said the route was thoroughly checked up to the last minute and his officers had shown "commendable restraint".
But the Met has refused to confirm or deny suggestions that officers protecting the prince were on a different radio frequencies to police overseeing the student protests.
However, the two teams were in contact with each other before the attack, a spokeswoman said.
Only 28 Lib Dem MPs - fewer than half - voted for the government's plans for tuition fees. Six Conservative MPs voted against. Three ministerial aides resigned.
The package of measures will see fees rising to an upper limit of £9,000 per year - with universities charging more than £6,000 per year told to protect access for poorer students.
What is your reaction to the protest? Were you at the student protests or affected by them? How do you think the police dealt with the situation? Send us your comments using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
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Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.Amateur footage of the attack on the Rolls Royce carrying the royal couple
The Metropolitan Police have launched a major criminal investigation into the disorder in London in recent weeks as part of student protests.
The force said a "significant number" of protesters had been "intent on violence", and people suspected of criminal behaviour would be prosecuted.
A car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall was attacked during violent scenes in London on Thursday.
MPs voted to allow university tuition fees to rise to as much as £9,000.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said it had launched an investigation into "the student disorder seen across London between 10 November and 10 December".
The force said it supported "the public's democratic right to peacefully protest".
"Whilst a large majority of protesters came to demonstrate peacefully, a significant number came intent on violence.
"This will not be tolerated and anyone identified as being actively involved in criminality at the student protests will be prosecuted."
During three previous days of national action by student protesters there were scuffles with police and numerous arrests.
The latest demonstration by thousands of students in London, on the day MPs voted on the reforms, involved the worst violence.
Protesters largely took over Parliament Square and pressed against police lines in front of the Houses of Parliament.
Mounted police were used to control crowds, at one point charging a group of protesters. Hundreds were contained on Westminster Bridge for a time by officers.
Protesters threw flares, sticks, snooker balls and paint balls, according to police. After nightfall, riot police forced back protesters who were smashing windows at the Treasury and the Supreme Court.
Then at 1915 GMT, protesters launched an attack on the royal couple's car as it passed along a busy Regent Street. The Rolls Royce was kicked, splashed with paint and a window was smashed to chants of "off with their heads".
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating a claim that 20-year-old Middlesex University student Alfie Meadows suffered serious head injuries after being hit on the head with a police truncheon.
The Met Police referred the incident to the commission, which is appealing for witnesses, early on Friday.
The IPCC said it received three further complaints about the Met Police at Thursday's protests.
Twelve officers and 43 protesters were injured. Scotland Yard said 33 people were arrested, most of whom were released on bail, and no-one had been charged.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.David Cameron: "There were quite a number of people who clearly were there wanting to pursue violence"
Students have criticised police tactics, particularly of holding demonstrators in a small area, known as "kettling".
Simon Hardy, of the National Campaign against Fees and Cuts, said: "The violence we witnessed yesterday from the police, before anything had been done by the protesters, is typical of how the Met has responded to these demonstrations.
"They turned up in riot gear, with horses, batons and shields. They said they wanted people to leave to Victoria Embankment and then 'kettled' them and then started beating people.
"Anyone who tries to resist is then told they are being violent."
But the Met Police Federation said officers acted with professionalism and selflessness and that, if they had not, the consequences would have been "unthinkable".
Prime Minister David Cameron has said lessons must be learned from a security lapse which allowed the attack on the Prince of Wales' car.
Met Police chief Sir Paul Stephenson called the attack shocking and said the royal couple should be commended for their fortitude.
He said the route was thoroughly checked up to the last minute and his officers had shown "commendable restraint".
But the Met has refused to confirm or deny suggestions that officers protecting the prince were on a different radio frequencies to police overseeing the student protests.
However, the two teams were in contact with each other before the attack, a spokeswoman said.
Only 28 Lib Dem MPs - fewer than half - voted for the government's plans for tuition fees. Six Conservative MPs voted against. Three ministerial aides resigned.
The package of measures will see fees rising to an upper limit of £9,000 per year - with universities charging more than £6,000 per year told to protect access for poorer students.
What is your reaction to the protest? Were you at the student protests or affected by them? How do you think the police dealt with the situation? Send us your comments using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software