Britain's prime minister says he wants to bring the full weight of the law against protesters who attacked a car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall amid violent protests in London over a rise in tuition fees.

Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday protesters says police should take lessons from the "regrettable" incident but that protesters should take full responsibility for their actions.

Metropolitan Police Chief Paul Stephenson said there will be a full and detailed criminal investigation into the "thoroughly disgraceful" incident, which saw protesters set upon the heir to the throne's Rolls Royce as it drove through London's busy West End Thursday night. A group of up to 20 protesters, some chanting "off with their heads!" smashed a rear window and splashed white paint on the vehicle.