Coppers take it to be a low place (3)

I believe the answer is:

pit

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'a low place' is the definition.
'pit' can be an answer for 'place' (thesaurus). I'm not certain of the 'a low' bit.

'coppers take it' is the wordplay.
'coppers' becomes 'p'.
'take' says to put letters next to each other.
'p'+'it'='PIT'

'to be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pit that I've seen before include "Mining hole" , "See 9" , "Large deep hole in the ground" , "Quarry" , "Tip into miners' shaft" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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