Crossword Genius

Cockney hunted down on policeman's first beat (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pounded

'beat' is the definition.
(pound can mean to beat)

'cockney hunted down on policeman's first' is the wordplay.
'cockney hunted down' becomes ''ounded' ('hounded' said with a cockney accent, dropping the 'H').
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'policeman's first' becomes 'p' (1st letter of 'policeman').
'ounded' after 'p' is 'POUNDED'.

(Another definition for pounded that I've seen is " Thumped".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app