Crossword Genius

Signal encouragement for criminal behaviour (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beacon

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

'signal encouragement for criminal behaviour' is the definition.
I know that 'signal' relates to this answer.

'signal encouragement for criminal' is the wordplay.
'signal encouragement for' becomes 'bea' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'criminal' becomes 'con' (short for convict).
'bea'+'con'='BEACON'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beacon that I've seen before include "Signal fire - signalling buoy" , "Guiding light?" , "Fire on a hill, lit as a signal" , "Guiding device - signal fire" , "warning to others" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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