The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ARSON
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
R
S
O
N
More clues leading to the result ARSON
- Sitcom’s beginning with Nora Batty giving offence
- Clergyman forgetting first offence
- Crime Harry scorns regularly
- Crime taking place in parsonage
- Runs in a boy for fire-raising
- Clergyman dismissing his first offence
- Parish priest's heading off — it's a crime
- Outrage of flaming frontiersman heading off
- Minister’s heading off crime
- Member of clergy beheaded for crime
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "crime" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case crime = arson.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ARSON mean?
ARSON noun- The crime of deliberately starting a fire with intent to cause damage.
- To illegally set fire to; to burn down in a criminal manner