Search for and find the guard (7)

I believe the answer is:

lookout

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'guard' is the definition.
(lookout is a kind of guard)

'search for and find the' is the wordplay.
'search' becomes 'look' (synonyms).
'for' becomes 'ou' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and find' says to put letters next to each other.
'the' becomes 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects).
'look'+'ou'+'t'='LOOKOUT'

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(Other definitions for lookout that I've seen before include "Outlook for sentry" , "Beware or gaze through window" , "Observer; concern" , "Person keeping watch" , "Vantage point" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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