The Sunday Crossword No 2940, Sunday 23 Apr 2017

TH has resumed the numbering again. Didn't notice if it was there last week.

ACROSS
1   Gangster without assistance seizing crown (2,6) AL CAPONE {AL {CAP}ONE}

5   Direct debit cutting very large price (4) ODDS {O{DD}S}
10 Cheat turning to automatic machine (5) ROBOT {ROB}{TO<=}
11 Convey elevation in case (9) CARTRIDGE {CART}{RIDGE}
12 Writes about river safari, initially poor (9) PENNILESS {PEN{NILE}S}{Sa...i}
13 Popular point about English being awkward (5) INEPT {IN}{E}{PT}
14 Go for it, needing that leg-up, keen to work (4,3,6) TAKE THE PLUNGE*
17 Angry protests after damage outside new buildings (13) CONSTRUCTIONS {CO{N}ST}{RUCTIONS}
21 Some now energetic in retirement begin again (5) RENEW [T<=]
22 Distance after day covered by game bird (9) GOLDFINCH {GOL{D}F}{INCH}

24 Explain concern, not small, about public relations (9) INTERPRET {INTEREsT} around {PR}
25 Cross island with speed (5) IRATE {I}{RATE}
26 Chatters, getting power in voice back (4) YAPS {YA{P}S<=}
27 Left chosen ground, beginning to seek monster's abode? (4,4) LOCH NESS {L}{CHOSEN}*{Seek}

DOWN
1   Brisk sailor with routine, quietly absorbed (6) ABRUPT {AB}{RU{P}T}
2   Group in government showing it can be complicated (7) CABINET*
3   Role involving a prank, worry for actor (7,7) PATRICK STEWART {P{A}{TRICK} {STEW}ART}

4   Hour during pleasant recess (5) NICHE {NIC{H}E}
6   Failure with information about old resentment (7) DUDGEON {DUD}{GE{O}N}
7   Time put into search over half of area in plant (5,3) SWEET PEA {SWEE{T} P}{arEA}
8   Be successful mostly on court in view (8) PROSPECT {PROSPEr}{CT}
9   Official threat shaking strong belief (7,2,5) ARTICLE OF FAITH*
15 Violent behaviour almost embraced in test (8) THUGGERY {T{HUGGEd}RY}
16 Shortage having lasting effect on urban area (8) SCARCITY {SCAR}{CITY}
18 Constant drama, north and south, before summit (3-4) NON-STOP {NO}{N}-{S}{TOP}
19 Soldier perhaps in secure state capital (5,2) SANTA FE {S{ANT}A FE}
20 Layers in places drilled by man (6) SHEETS {S{HE}ETS}
23 Learner with excessive love for game (5) LOTTO {L}{OTT}{O}

GRID