A piece of thread Sherlock notices (3)

I believe the answer is:

ads

'notices' is the definition.
(advertisements)

'a piece of thread sherlock' is the wordplay.
'a piece of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ADS' is hidden in the letters of 'thread sherlock'.

(Other definitions for ads that I've seen before include "Commercials" , "Notices" , "Classifieds (abbr)" , "Promotions" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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