The FA Cup was a major coup for Cardiff

The city , which has an estimated population of 330,000, has become a focal point for national sporting and cultural events at the Millennium Stadium.

Earlier this year police mounted their biggest ever operation for a sporting event in Wales for the FA cup final.

More than 700 officers were drafted into the city for the match which was the first soccer final to be held outside England.

The operation was hailed as a huge success but police chiefs fear that without a cash injection from the assembly the standards of policing could drop.

There is a danger that the policing demands being made on Cardiff will require resourcing that could impact on the service provided to other areas

South Wales Police Chief Constable Tony Burden

The police authority is approaching the assembly for direct funding to take account of the city's special needs.

Mr Burden has sited the extra budget of £120m a year which is allocated to the Metropolitan Police which allows them to manage the heavy demands of policing a capital city.

Mr Burden said: "The growth of Cardiff as a major commercial, economic and tourist centre is placing demands on the force.

"These demands are projected to increase dramatically over the next few years.

Tony Burden : concern over pressures

"There is a danger that the policing demands being made on Cardiff will require resourcing that could impact on the service provided to other areas."