ABSTRACT
The signifi cance of intelligence in counter-terrorism stems from three main drivers: its role in, ideally, pre-emption and disruption of terrorist activity, its role in post-incident investigations, and the priority given to the maximisation of the effi cient use of counter-terrorism resources through intelligence-led counterterrorism. This is not a new aspiration but it is given current emphasis within the performance-related public service culture and the priority assigned to preventing and pre-empting a 9/11 type of attack in the UK. Consequently, the role of intelligence in counter-terrorism needs to be fully understood and appreciated, both in its possibilities and its limitations. Four examples will serve to illustrate the range of problems that need to be managed.
