Debt collector needs security, if female (7)
I believe the answer is:
bailiff
'debt collector' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'security if female' is the wordplay.
'security' becomes 'bail' (I've seen this before).
'female' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'bail'+'if'+'f'='BAILIFF'
'needs' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bailiff that I've seen before include "Sheriff's officer - landlord's agent" , "Landowner's agent" , "Landlord's agent or steward" , "Possibly menacing landlord's agent" , "Officer of court" .)