Getting cracking on paintings seized in police operation (8)
I believe the answer is:
starting
'getting cracking' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'paintings seized in police operation' is the wordplay.
'paintings' becomes 'art' (painting is a type of artwork).
'seized in' indicates putting letters inside.
'police operation' becomes 'sting' (sting can mean a police operation).
'art' inserted inside 'sting' is 'STARTING'.
'on' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for starting that I've seen before include "showing sudden alarm" , "showing surprise" , "Rousing" , "Commencing" , "Disturbing" .)