Alright fellow word warriors and puzzle fanatics, gather ’round! Another day dawns, bringing with it a fresh grid and, inevitably, those delightful little brain-teasers that make us question our sanity, our vocabulary, and sometimes, the very fabric of reality. Today, I’m spotlighting a particularly delicious little morsel that landed squarely in my lap, demanding attention, a strong cup of coffee, and perhaps a moment of quiet contemplation. If you’ve been wrestling with your daily challenge, chances are you might have stumbled upon this one yourself, and if you did, you know exactly the kind of clever wordplay we’re up against.
The crossword clue that has us all buzzing, and perhaps tearing out a few strands of hair, is ‘Scam run by coastal police (12)‘. Just reading it aloud, you can almost hear the gears grinding, can’t you? This isn’t your average, straightforward definition. Oh no, this is a masterclass in misdirection, a little linguistic labyrinth designed to tantalize and trick in equal measure. Every single word in this
crossword clue
feels deliberately placed, each one a potential key or a cunning red herring.
When faced with a complex
crossword clue
like this, the immediate instinct is to break it down. “Scam” immediately brings to mind illicit activities, deception, a trick. Then we hit “coastal police.” What kind of police operate on the coast? Are we talking about the actual police force, or is there a more figurative meaning at play? And that little phrase “run by”? Is it literal, meaning managed or operated by, or could “run” itself be a noun, hinting at a stretch of something, perhaps a ‘run’ of bad luck, or a specific kind of ‘run’ associated with the sea? The possibilities for interpreting this
crossword clue
are vast, and that’s precisely where its genius lies.
This
crossword clue
forces you to think beyond the obvious, to delve into synonyms, homophones, and the wonderful world of compound words. Is it a portmanteau? Is it a phrase that perfectly encapsulates both the idea of a fraudulent scheme and something intrinsically linked to those who patrol our shores? The sheer length of the answer – twelve letters – suggests a substantial word or a tightly woven two-word phrase, adding another layer of challenge. It’s the kind of
crossword clue
that you stare at, walk away from, only to have it pop back into your head hours later while you’re doing something entirely unrelated.
The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
like ‘Scam run by coastal police (12)‘ is how it plays with our expectations. It hints at a narrative, a scandalous story involving maritime law enforcement, yet the answer is almost certainly a delightful piece of wordplay that, once revealed, makes you smack your forehead and wonder why you didn’t see it sooner. That ‘aha!’ moment is what we live for, isn’t it? The sheer satisfaction of unlocking a
crossword clue
that seemed impenetrable just moments before is truly one of life’s great small victories.
So, if you’re still pondering this particular
crossword clue
, take a moment to consider every angle. Think about the double meanings, the less common interpretations of familiar words. Consider how elements of the sea, policing, and deceit might cleverly intertwine into a single, elegant solution. It’s a fantastic example of a
crossword clue
that exemplifies the playful, intellectual sparring between setter and solver. We’ll dive deeper into the mechanics of cracking clues like this in future posts, but for now, let this one marinate. What fascinating possibilities does this perplexing
crossword clue
conjure for you?
Available Answers:
CONSTABULARY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 8 November 2025