By giving the coppers a bit of bother? (3)
I believe the answer is:
per
'by' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'the coppers a bit of bother?' is the wordplay.
'PER' is hidden within the letters.
But, I'm uncertain how this is indicated.
'giving' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for per that I've seen before include "Preposition indicating by means of" , "According to" , "For each or every" , "Preposition meaning for each" .)