Force opposing exploiter of children (5)

I believe the answer is:

fagin

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'exploiter of children' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'force opposing' is the wordplay.
'force' becomes 'f' (symbol used in Physics e.g. f=ma).
'opposing' becomes 'agin' (dialect form of 'against').
'f'+'agin'='FAGIN'

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(Other definitions for fagin that I've seen before include "Dickens villain" , "Gang leader (Oliver Twist)" , "Oliver Twist villain" , "Gang-leader" , "Character in Oliver Twist" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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