Basic tools of hostile criminal (7)
I believe the answer is:
eoliths
'basic tools' is the definition.
'eoliths' can be an answer for 'tools' (I have seen 'early tools' mean 'eoliths' so perhaps 'tools' could also mean 'eoliths'). I'm unsure of the 'basic' bit.
'hostile criminal' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates anagramming the letters.
'hostile' anagrammed gives 'EOLITHS'.
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eoliths that I've seen before include "Stones" , "Early stone implements" , "Pieces of flint" , "bits of stone" , "early tools" .)