Crossword Genius

Criminal mob rule North East city (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

melbourne

'city' is the definition.
(Australian city)

'criminal mob rule north east' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'north east' becomes 'ne'.
'mob'+'rule'='mobrule'
'mobrule' is an anagram of 'melbour'.
'melbour'+'ne'='MELBOURNE'

(Other definitions for melbourne that I've seen before include "Australian city" , "State capital of Victoria" , "First capital of Australia (1901-27)" , "home for Victorians" , "PM 1834, 35-41" .)

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