Two security guards who were suspended after restraining youths running amok at Birkenhead Market are to be allowed to return to their jobs.
There was outrage following the decision by Wirral Council last December to suspend the two men, who traders said were simply "doing their job."
Furious traders accused the council of a "witch hunt" after the two guards were removed from their posts for confronting and restraining yobs who market sellers said were running amok in the building.
The two men remained on full pay while the council carried out an investigation into their conduct, lasting nearly three months.
The investigation was to determine whether the security guards' actions in allegedly restraining and removing the youths from the market amounted to gross misconduct and brought the council into disrepute . It is believed the incident was captured on CCTV.
Birkenhead Market Tenants' Association said the market had been "plagued by a gang of feral youths" for "some time" and said the two struck off guards had been penalised for "doing their job."
Around 120 tenants and ancillary staff at the market signed a petition saying they were "appalled and disappointed" and claimed the men had been "singled out for shabby treatment."
Additional security cover was provided by Wirral Community Patrol after the workers were suspended.
Following the decision to reinstate the men, a source inside the market told the ECHO : "The market is plagued by gangs of feral youths on bicycles.
"When these guards tried to stop it, they were suspended, despite their being no complaint made about them and the police taking no action.
"But the market's management believed certain protocols had been breached.
"It means the market has had a reduced security presence for almost three months, while the guards were suspended on full pay."
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: "The staff in question are due to return to work following the conclusion of the investigation."
