Crimes by receivers of stolen goods (8)
I believe the answer is:
offences
'crimes' is the definition.
(I know this)
'by receivers of stolen goods' is the wordplay.
'by' becomes 'of'.
'receivers of stolen goods' becomes 'fences' (fence can mean a receiver of stolen goods).
'of'+'fences'='OFFENCES'
(Other definitions for offences that I've seen before include "Crimes" , "Misdemeanours" , "Illegal acts, breaking of laws" , "Trespasses" , "Breaches of the law" .)