Something hard to steal, it's said (5)

I believe the answer is:

steel

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'something hard' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'steal it's said' is the wordplay.
'it's said' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'steal' sounds like 'STEEL'.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steel that I've seen before include "nerve" , "The staying power" , "Strong metal" , "Mixture of carbon and iron" , "brace" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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