A FORMER policeman who was chosen to head Farnworth's new crime-busting squad of security guard rangers claims he has been hounded out of his job.

Brian Ford, a gun enthusiast whose weapons were stolen from his private collection and used in the deaths of three people including Farnworth security guard, Ian Foster in 1991, was dismissed from his job as supervisor of the pioneering Farnworth Community Rangers last week.

Mr Ford claims the strength of local feeling against him has cost him his position with the newly-formed private company, Bolton WISE Ltd.

The firearms expert, who has publicly campaigned against new gun laws, claims he has been sacked because shopkeepers and the local business community in Farnworth have turned against him.

He feels outraged that his name is still linked with the shooting of Mr Foster outside Farnworth Town Hall in July 1991. Until last week, Mr Ford held a key to Farnworth Town Hall to gain access to and from his office. But he claims he was told to leave, with little explanation and ordered not to come back onto the premises. Manager of the Bolton WISE project, Steve Bottrill, said that he had been unaware of Mr Ford's gun connection and strongly denies that Mr Ford has been unfairly dismissed.

Mr Bottrill, who said that concerns expressed by local traders were confidential, said: "Brian Ford was engaged on a temporary basis.

"I had to let him go because I was concerned at the direction the project was taking."

The Bolton WISE project, which runs in partnership with Bolton Bury TEC, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Bolton Council, was set up in November aiming to recruit from the long term unemployed.

The rangers, being taught an NVQ in security guard skills, are being trained to liaise with police and monitor close circuit television as well as providing passive surveillance and operating a shop alert scheme.

Mr Ford, who lives in Farnworth, said that people still blamed him for the events of July 1991.

He said: "I feel that it is very unfair. I don't seem to be able to shake off my history.

"I am an innocent victim in all of this."

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