Crossword Genius

Guard local Post Office from parasites (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

police

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'guard local' is the definition.
'police' can be an answer for 'guard' (policing is a kind of guarding). I'm not sure about the 'local' bit.

'post office from parasites' is the wordplay.
'post office' becomes 'po' (abbreviation).
'from' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'parasites' becomes 'lice' (lice are parasitic insects).
'po'+'lice'='POLICE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for police that I've seen before include "Bobby" , "Branch of the security forces" , "... custodians of law and order" , "Emergency service" , "Boys in blue" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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