The sorption of copper, cadmium, nickel and zinc ions on thiol (-SH) based chelating polymeric resins (thiomethyl resin and Duolite GT-73) has been investigated. The physical and chemical characterisation of these polymers in the form of scanning electron micrographs (SEM), BET and Langmuir surface area measurements, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, atomic composition measurement, sodium capacity determination and zeta potential measurements have been conducted to assess their performance as sorbents for trace toxic metal removal. Density functional theory (DFT) has been used to analyse the pore size distribution data. The adsorption of metal ions from aqueous solution on these sorbents has been studied in batch equilibrium experiments. The influence of pH on metal adsorption capacity has also been examined. The kinetic performance of these polymers has been assessed and the results have been analysed by a pore diffusion model. The resins have been used in mini-columns to study the selectivity towards the desired metal ion. The desorption of metal ions has been studied using hydrochloric acid (1 M and 4 M), sulphuric acid (1 M and 4 M) and acidified thiourea. The present study confirms that these thiol based chelating resins are very effective for selective removal of trace heavy metals from water.