Protesters attack Prince of Wales' car

LONDON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Crowds protesting a U.K. government decision to raise tuition fees attacked a car carrying Prince Charles and his wife in London Thursday, officials said.

The prince and his wife Camilla were unharmed as the window of the car was smashed and the car was covered in paint, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Witnesses said the couple became separated from their police escort as they drove through and found themselves in the midst of crowds who had just left a protest in Trafalgar Square.

The protests come as the British Parliament has voted to allow English universities to triple fees beginning in 2012.

Nine police officers have been seriously injured in the resultant violence, officials said.

Police were attempting to keep protesters away from the gates of Parliament itself.

"Protesters will be allowed sight and sound of Parliament," Metropolitan Police Superintendent Julia Pendry said. "However, there is evidence to suggest a number of people will come to London intent on causing violence and disorder.

"They are jumping on the bandwagon of these demonstrations with no intention to protest or interest in student tuition fees. This is of concern to us.

"Those who come to London for peaceful protest will be policed proportionately and appropriately," she said. "But those who are intent on committing crime will also be dealt with and they will suffer the consequences of their actions."