Mix with people of the criminal kind (7)

I believe the answer is:

consort

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'mix with people of' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'criminal kind' is the wordplay.
'criminal' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for 'convict').
'kind' becomes 'sort' (synonyms).
'con'+'sort'='CONSORT'

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for consort that I've seen before include "A monarch's spouse" , "helpmate" , "Keep company" , "Companion; ship sailing with another" , "Spouse, partner" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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