By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 6:25 PM on 4th January 2011
New images showing a woman rioter who attacked the Royal car and smashed another vehicle during the tuition fees protests were released today.
A hunt was underway for the brunette yob who was pictured on council CCTV. Senior Metropolitan Police officers were confident people would come forward after seeing the new footage.
The woman hits the back of the car carrying the Royal couple and later bends down and picks up a dustbin lid before using it to smash the rear window on the third car in the convoy.
Now scroll down to see the video footage
Who is she? Close up of the woman the Metropolitan Police are hoping to trace after she was seen attacking the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's car
The mob descends: A crowd gathered round the Royal car as it made its way through central London, this newly-released CCTV still shows
However, the images of the crowds surrounding the car are very grainy and it is hard to work out what is happening in Regent Street in London's West End.
The woman attacker was also seen on camera holding a man's hand and police said today they want to trace him as a witness.
The CCTV footage shows the royal convoy, led by several motorcycle police outriders slowing down as it is blocked by the crowds. At least three metal dustbins were hurled at cars in the convoy.
A man caught running alongside the royal car and hitting it is wearing a black coat and hooded top in the footage.
A second man, who is hitting the rear right-hand passenger window, was wearing a grey hooded top and black jacket.
The protesters had split from student tuition fee riots outside the Houses of Parliament and attacked the distinctive Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.
White paint was thrown over the vehicle and the Duchess was poked in the ribs with a stick, thought to be part of a placard, through an open window.
She was pictured looking shocked and distressed and the Royal couple were forced to leave afterwards in the back of a police van.
Officers have set up a specialist team of investigators responsible for identifying those involved in lawlessness during the student protests.
Police search: The woman suspect who was seen hitting the back of the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI which was carrying Charles and Camilla. Officers also want to trace the man (left) who is a witness
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson ordered an internal review which has been presented to Home Secretary Theresa May.
The woman in the council CCTV footage, wearing a black coat, grey top and glasses, is also caught on camera as she breaks the rear window of another vehicle in the convoy with a dustbin.
One of the men caught running alongside the royal car and hitting it is wearing a black coat and hooded top.
The second man, seen attacking the rear right-hand passenger window, was wearing a grey hooded top and black jacket.
From the air: The route the Royal car took
Thugs: A male in a grey hooded top and black jacket is seen running up behind the car and hitting the rear right hand passenger window.
Royal shock: Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, react as their car is attacked by angry protesters last month
Caught on camera: A male the police want to trace over the protest last month. He was running up alongside the car before hitting it
The inquiry, known as Operation Malone, has led to the arrest of more than 180 people, most aged between 17 and 25.
Detective Chief Superintendent Matt Horne, who is leading the operation, said the latest images of the moment the vehicle was attacked on December 9 are grainy but he believes people will recognise the suspects.
He said: 'The student protests saw a number of incidents of violence escalate across central London, including in the shopping areas of Oxford Street and Regent Street during some of the busiest Christmas shopping periods.
'Police officers were attacked, and buildings and shops had their windows smashed, amongst other acts of vandalism, including an attack on the royal convoy.
Tuition fee fury: A youth attacks the vehicle on its way to the Palladium Theatre after Parliament voted to implement the Coalition's proposals to increase tuition fees to 9,000 per year
Into the crowd: Charles and Camilla were quickly surrounded as their vehicle headed straight into an area where the protesters were gathered
'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.
'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.'
Anyone with information should call the Operation Malone team 020 8358 0100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Next to useless CCTV......And whilst it is certainly wrong to cause criminal damage under any circumstances, it's sad that so much effort is being wasted on finding these "thugs".......
- Steve, Concepcion Chile, 04/1/2011 17:36
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