CRYPTIC

Across 1. Way of counting crime, maybe – and about time (6) 8. Flat stone showing a circumnavigator (5) 9. Study racing statistics and toe the line (7) 11. Rub alum around the North and it will produce yellow blossom (8) 12. Referee and editor given backing to put it off for a while (5) 15. Fish reaching a conclusion that rounds off movement (4) 16. Cook the young collectively (3) 17. Time for one to leave a voluptuous and alluring woman (4) 19. Where there’s fire that will sound discordant (5) 21. Loose one’s grip on property ownership (8) 24. Where rays are concentrated one might run past it (3-4) 25. Gong is something that is struck, isn’t it? (5) 26. The sort the French get to start a fire (6) Down 2. Make a runaway match feel operational in part (5)

3. Flier might supply crew for soldier with gun (8) 4. Will not go straight to the lock (4) 5. Smell will be satisfactory in your and my setting (5) 6. Victory that includes a haycart (4) 7. Look radiantly at a straight piece of timber (4) 10. The things one works with may be textiles (9) 12. No run for teal, say (4) 13. Another’s turn at being a furniture designer (8) 14. Bill is so loyal? Right! (4) 18. She will shortly lose apostrophe to the carapace (5) 20. Show what’s coming on the nature run (5) 21. In iron am finding renown (4) 22. Boy who will do the rounds where water is concerned (4) 23. Nothing less than kudos gained at twilight (4)