A motion which aims to crack down on bullying across the borough was overwhelmingly voted through by Sutton councillors amid UK Anti-Bullying Week.

The move, which received cross-party support from the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and independents, was agreed at full council on Monday (November 12).

It will now aim to train councillors and Sutton Council staff on both identifying and calling out any forms of bullying that they either see or know about.

There would also be support in encouraging residents across the borough to also flag up similar behaviours through clear signposting.

Powerful speeches were given both by Mr Williams, a former teacher at Wallington County Grammar School, and Cllr Elliot Colburn on the night of full council.

Mr Williams said: “With the council meeting falling during Anti-Bullying Week, as a former teacher, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to send a clear message that bullying is totally unacceptable in our borough.

“Sadly bullying happens not just among children and young people, but also in the workplace. That’s why Sutton Council will now launch a review to ensure there is clear signposting for residents who become aware of bullying and would like advice about tackling it.”

At the end of the meeting on Monday, Liberal Democrat and Conservative chiefs Ruth Dombey and Tim Crowley signed the “Choose Respect” pledge.

Beddington North Cllr Nick Mattey, leader of the independents, did not sign it.

Mr Crowley, the council’s opposition leader, said: “Bullying needs to be addressed wherever it occurs be that school, in the workplace or in the political sphere.

"We feel it is vital that people treat each other in the way that they would expect to be treated, and that involves courtesy, respect and fairness.

“We welcome the spotlight that the Anti-Bullying Week shines upon this subject and are pleased to associate ourselves with it.”

The council will now be part of the UK’s Anti-Bullying Alliance, of which more than 150 organisations in the country are already a part of.

Name-calling – through email and text – is one of the most common forms of bullying, followed by exclusion from social groups, according to the Government’s Department for Education.

In the 12 months leading up to their research, 40 percent of young people had been bullied and six percent of young people had been bullied daily.

Another nine percent said it was once a week and once a month.