Arsenal and Liverpool played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in the Community Shield - the traditional curtain raiser to the football season, formerly known as the Charity Shield.

It was a chance to see starts like Michael Owen

South Wales Police decided to learn from last year's experiences and keep a particular eye on car crime.

When Liverpool beat Manchester United in the city in 2001, police saw a large rise in car crime, with 10 more cars stolen than the usual daily average.

Calculating thieves preyed on cars owned by fans who they knew would spend several hours away after parking their vehicles.

This year police were determined to combat theft and mounted a specific operation against would-be thieves.

Although renowned as a rugby venue, the Cardiff stadium has emerged as the UK's premier venue for staging football finals.

Past problems

A near-capacity crowd - many of them family groups - flocked to the stadium on Sunday to see the household names like World Cup hero Michael Owen.

Last year's Charity Shield match passed off with few problems involving rival fans.

Two police officers were injured during scuffles involving soccer fans in the city centre on the eve of the match.

There were also disturbances on the Saturday night before the match which were believed to have involved rival fans from Cardiff City and Manchester United fans.

Large areas of Cardiff were closed to traffic

A total of 15 people - the majority from Cardiff and other areas of south Wales - were arrested.

Two were arrested for assault, three for drug-related offences and 10 for public order offences.

Some fans hoping to travel by train to Cardiff from valleys stations faced frustration.

Valley Lines said the line between Pontypridd and Radyr had to be closed for work by Railtrack.

A points failure at Bristol Parkway meant trains carrying football supporters to Cardiff ran late

Sunday motorists were advised to avoid four junctions of the M4 as fans descended on Cardiff.

Visiting fans were directed to specially-designated park-and-rides schemes.

As usual with major sporting events, large areas of the city centre were cordoned off.