Attack on Prince Charles’ vehicle:

Wide-reaching probe begins

UK: British police began a wide-reaching probe Saturday into a recent wave of student protests, after the latest culminated in a mob attack on a car carrying Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.

Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “very concerned” by the royal security lapse, which occurred Thursday during the most violent of a string of protests against his coalition government’s plans to raise university fees.

Charles, the heir to the throne, and his wife looked shocked as rampaging demonstrators broke a window of their Rolls Royce and spattered the car with paint.

They intercepted the car as the couple travelled to a theatre in London’s West End.

Clarence House, the royal couple’s official residence, would not comment on newspaper reports that Camilla had been hit in the ribs by a stick shoved through one of the car windows which was accidentally opened in the melee.

Cameron said those who attacked the car had to be punished.

“We want to learn the lessons from that but, above all, we want to make sure that the people who behaved in these appalling ways feel the full force of the law of the land,” he said.

Scotland Yard chief Paul Stephenson said it was a hugely shocking incident and there will be a full criminal investigation into it. Clarence House said Charles and Camilla were “grateful” for the police’s action, but the incident has raised serious security questions, particularly ahead of the wedding of Charles’ son Prince William in April.

The royal couple were targeted by a breakaway group of around 200 protesters chanting “off with their heads” as they drove to a charity concert.

As a smiling Camilla left afterwards, she told reporters: “I’m fine thanks - first time for everything.”

Former royal police officer Charles Shoebridge said the incident “ranks amongst the most serious security breaches of the past decade.”

Police arrested 33 people during the protests and at least 43 protesters and 12 police officers were injured during the clashes outside parliament.

London, Sunday, AFP