British police carried out a major nationwide anti-terrorism operation yesterday, arresting eight people in a series of dawn raids which media reports said had thwarted a significant planned attack

Detectives said the people were arrested at addresses across the city of Birmingham on ?suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.? A number of streets were sealed off in Birmingham, Britain?s second largest city and one of its most ethnically diverse, with a large Muslim population.?As a precautionary measure we will have an enhanced police presence at these locations,? West Midlands police said in a statement which added there was no ?specific threat? to the local area.

Security services believe a terrorist attack is highly likely in Britain and the country is on its second highest alert level. Last year the head of MI5, Britain?s domestic spy service, warned that about 30 terrorism plots were being worked on and agents were monitoring around 1,600 suspects.The government issued a statement saying the arrests were part of a nationwide operation. ?We can confirm that a major counter-terrorism operation took place earlier today led by West Midlands Police,? the Home Office said.?This operation is a reminder of the real and serious nature of the terrorist threat we face,? it added.

Sky Television, citing unnamed sources, said police had stopped a major terrorist plot which was in the latter stages of planning or was near fruition.