Students, police clash over tuition hike

Associated Press

LONDON

Furious student protesters attacked a car carrying Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, vandalized buildings and battled riot police Thursday as a controversial hike in university fees triggered Britain’s worst political violence in years.

In a major security breach, demonstrators set upon the heir to the throne’s Rolls Royce as it drove through London’s busy West End on its way to a theater. A group of up to 20 struck it with fists, sticks and bottles, breaking a window and splattering the gleaming, black vehicle with paint.

In the frenzy, some chanted “off with their heads!”

Charles’ office, Clarence House, said the royal couple was unharmed. But the attack took police completely by surprise and raises serious security questions.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the violence against the royal couple was “shocking and regrettable.”

Protesters erupted in anger after legislators in the House of Commons approved a plan to triple university fees to $14,000 a year.

As thousands of students were corralled by police near Parliament, some strummed guitars and sang Beatles songs — but others hurled chunks of paving stones at police and smashed windows in a government building.