Crossword Genius

Criminal damage upset passenger taken round area (3-6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ram-raider

'criminal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'damage upset passenger taken round area' is the wordplay.
'damage' becomes 'mar' (to mar is to spoil or damage).
'upset' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'passenger' becomes 'rider' (synonyms).
'taken round' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'mar' in reverse letter order is 'ram'.
'rider' placed around 'a' is 'raider'.
'ram'+'raider'='RAM-RAIDER'

(Other definitions for ram-raider that I've seen before include "One using vehicle to attack shop" , "Thief using vehicle to break into shops" .)

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