Police believe members of the public will be able to recognise those shown striking the royal car during tuition fees protests

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

Police have released new CCTV footage showing the moment protesters attacked a car carrying the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during student protests in London in December.

The couple's Rolls-Royce was doused with paint and Camilla was reportedly poked in the ribs with a stick during the incident on Regent Street.

Police said the footage shows a woman striking the royal car and breaking a window on one of the other vehicles in the convoy. Two men are also seen attacking the royal car, police said.

"Although the images are grainy, officers believe members of the public will be able to recognise the individuals featured," the Metropolitan police said in a statement.

Hundreds of students had left the main protest area at Parliament Square - where the Met had kettled thousands of students - and headed to Oxford Street, where windows were smashed at Topshop, which is the target of a UK Uncut campaign against alleged tax avoidance.

Despite the protesters' presence the royal convoy did not alter its route to the London Palladium, taking Charles and Camilla past angry activists.

"Police officers were attacked, and buildings and shops had their windows smashed, amongst other acts of vandalism, including an attack on the royal convoy," said Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne.

"We believe that most of the people whose pictures we have released today 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."

School and college pupils and university students were protesting against the coalition government's proposed increase in tuition fees in England. The legislation, allowing universities to raise fees to £9,000 a year, was narrowly voted through despite 21 Liberal Democrat MPs rebelling against the proposal.