Questions of racial equality in Sutton have been raised after findings from a new study were published.

The Runnymede Trust – a race equality think tank - has mapped ethnic inequality across Sutton and compared the results with other boroughs.

In a 2016 London Ethnic and Inequality Report, Sutton was ranked 31st out of the 32 London boroughs for overall inequality.

A mixed response of racial equality was discovered from the latest results from The Runnymede Trust.

Sutton has experienced a rise of 16 per cent in racist and religious hate crime between 2015 and 2016. This was below the London average but higher than Croydon (15 per cent).

According to the study, black people in Sutton are 3.4 times more likely to be stopped and searched by police than white people. This is higher than Croydon (2.7 times) but lower in Kingston (six times).

Farah Elahi, research and policy analyst at the Runnymede Trust, said: “The Runnymede Trust has worked closely with Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector (CVS) and Sutton council to map ethnic inequality across the borough.

“Although relative to other boroughs, ethnic minority communities living in Sutton have better outcomes, it is clear that within the borough patterns of inequality do exist.

“We hope the Sutton Race Equality Scorecard will be a resource for organisations and individuals working to address racial inequality in the borough. It is the start of a necessary and ongoing conversation about holding public services to account and taking the steps to build a more equal cohesive society.”

The Runnymede Trust suggested that ethnic groups were less likely to claim state benefits. However, the study also found that Black African and Caribbean residents suffer discrimination in the jobs market.

Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said: “Whilst Sutton fared very well against other London boroughs and also nationally in the final report, we recognise that there are still gaps where there are inequalities which we need to explore.

“No one should be discriminated against because of their race or their colour of their skin, and Sutton Council is committed to working alongside its partners to eliminate this discrimination. I look forward to a day where such inequalities do not exist."

The report was launched at an event on Monday evening, October 2, at the Salvation Army Church on Benhill Avenue.

Chief executive of Sutton CVS, Alison Novara, was also in attendance.

She commented beforehand: “It is vital that the report is owned by everyone so that we can move the race agenda forward.”