The stadium is used for major sporting events

Although many people have said the warning by South Wales Police chief Barbara Wilding would not stop them visiting high-profile places, others were concerned her comments could make Muslims feel they were under suspicion.

Miss Wilding, who took over as chief constable in January, has extensive expertise in the field of terrorism.

She told BBC Wales that, because of the Millennium Stadium's high profile, it could be a target for terror groups.

Her comments came after her force took part in a two-day event in Swansea to plan a co-ordinated response to a terrorist alert.

But community leader Sheikh Said Hassan Ismail, of Butetown in Cardiff said he believed many Muslims would feel they were being singled out for suspicion.

"We feel that, because of what has happened in the Middle East, and because of what has happened in some parts of the world, that the finger is being pointed at Muslims. Everybody has to be looking for a Muslim," he said.

Wilding: 'Expect the unexpected'

On Friday, Miss Wilding insisted that Muslims in south Wales should not feel under attack in any way. She appealed to people to continue to go about their normal business, so that the terrorists could not win.

She said great in-roads had been made into building trust and confidence with Muslim communities across Britain since 11 September, and information about suspicious individuals was coming from the communities themselves.

Miss Wilding called for vigilance after last week's bombing of the Madrid commuter trains.

She said targets had undoubtedly changed since the attack in which 202 people died.

Cardiff, as a capital, was at risk, and the stadium with all its international TV exposure was a potential target for those wanting to cause maximum damage and loss of life.

"Everyone sees London as the prime target, which is totally natural, but after 9-11, we have to accept that things have changed," she said.

"It's not just authority, the establishment and VIPs -terrorists will attack anywhere."

"We don't want people to be alarmed, but to be vigilant, to tell us their concerns in their communities, when they're at work, at play, at sporting events and the like."

High-profile buildings

Miss Wilding was previously deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police until moving to her latest appointment in south Wales in January.

She said there was a need to "expect the unexpected" - and that included the possibility of Cardiff being a target, with high-profile buildings like the Millennium Stadium and the new Millennium Arts Centre in Cardiff Bay.

Speaking to BBC Wales after a two-day terrorism exercise in Swansea, Miss Wilding said she was satisfied the force was prepared and taking all necessary precautions to prevent terrorist attacks.

"My role is to say 'Don't be upset, don't stop doing your job, don't stop doing what you enjoy, just be a little more vigilant'."

A Millennium Stadium spokesman said its general safety group, involving police, ambulance, fire and stadium staff is constantly reviewing security.