British police have arrested eight people on Wednesday in what they are describing as a major anti-terrorism operation, the British media repoorted.

The suspects were detained during a series of early-morning raids on addresses in Birmingham, an area with a large Asian and Muslim population.

The police say they are suspected of "the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

Security sources say the operation has thwarted a major terror attack that was in the latter stages of planning and was designed to target an individual rather than cause mass casualties.

The operation was led by the Midlands Counterterrorism unit, supported by West Midlands Police and London's Metropolitan Police.

Last week, police arrested five people in terrorism investigations in the English cities of Manchester and Halifax.

Rizwan Ditta, 29, and Mohammed Dilal, 26, of Halifax were later charged with possession of information of use to terrorists.