Crossword Genius

Policeman arrests vile criminal in hip area (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pelvic

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

'policeman arrests vile criminal in hip area' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'policeman arrests vile criminal' is the wordplay.
'policeman' becomes 'pc' (police constable).
'arrests' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are contained or arrested).
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'vile' is an anagram of 'elvi'.
'pc' enclosing 'elvi' is 'PELVIC'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pelvic that I've seen before include "Of the bony frame near the base of the spine" , "Relating to the large bony frame at the base of a human spine" , "kind of girdle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app