Assists in a crime (5)
I believe the answer is:
abets
'assists in a crime' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for abets that I've seen before include "Gives support" , "Assists in wrongdoing" , "Aids in wrong-doing" , "Assists or encourages" , "Helps (someone to commit crime)" .)