Smartly set about the boys in blue, as punishment (6)

I believe the answer is:

strafe

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If this is the answer I cannot explain how the clue works.

(Other definitions for strafe that I've seen before include "Attack with machine-gun from the air" , "Attack with fire from aircraft" , "Attack with fire from a low-flying plane" , "Bombard" , "Rake with machine-gun fire" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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