New branch of force facing initially serious riot (8)

I believe the answer is:

offshoot

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'new branch' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'of force facing initially serious riot' is the wordplay.
'of' becomes 'o''.
'force facing' becomes 'ff' (this could be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
'riot' becomes 'hoot' (I've seen this in another clue).
The first letter of 'serious' is 's'.
'o'+'ff'+'s'+'hoot'='OFFSHOOT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for offshoot that I've seen before include "Branch, derivative" , "Branch; spin-off" , "Subsidiary product or branch" , "Side growth" , "sequel?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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