Scarborough man jailed for breaching landmark Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order

An investigation into Robert Viv Chinchen began in August 2024 and gathered what North Yorkshire Police described as substantial evidence putting him in a role of exploiting multiple victims and other vulnerable people in the local community.

Evidence relating to victims was provided on their behalf by partner agencies including Horizons Drug and Alcohol Services, Social Services, Beyond Housing, IDAS and North Yorkshire Council because of their fear of repercussions.

On Friday (Jul 25), 2025, Scarborough Magistrates’ Court imposed an interim Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) on Chinchen.

It was the first time an interim STRO had been used in North Yorkshire.

Chinchen, who was 36 at the time, was serving a 14-week prison sentence for an unconnected offence and appeared at the hearing by video link.

The civil order was imposed under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and can be used in cases where a person has not been convicted of a slavery or human trafficking offence but is suspected of posing a significant risk of committing such offences.

Breaching an STRO is a criminal offence.

The interim order imposed a number of restrictions on Chinchen, including restrictions on entering properties in a specified area, possessing or controlling mobile phones or SIM cards and entering an exclusion zone without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

He was also prohibited from using or threatening violence, intimidation, coercion or harassment against another person for the purpose of gaining access to accommodation or controlling that person's behaviour.

At the time, Inspector Craig Regan, of Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Robert Chinchen’s tactics of intimidation, coercion and manipulation have left his victims living in constant fear from which they are unable to escape.

“This has a heavy impact on their physical and psychological wellbeing. Without the imposition of the interim Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order, Chinchen would persist in his exploitative behaviour, putting more vulnerable individuals in danger.

“It is important to stress the considerable amount of work that has been undertaken by our Community Safety partners to bring everyone together to obtain the evidence to secure this order.”

Anna Button, Community Safety Officer for North Yorkshire Council, said: “Even though this was a Police-led investigation, all partners within our multi-agency team have come together to protect and safeguard victims of exploitation within our communities.”

Chief Constable Tim Forber said: “Robert Chinchen is clearly an individual who thinks he can operate outside of the law, and we know that he has caused misery and fear on the Barrowcliff estate and the wider Scarborough community.

“I have nothing but praise for Inspector Craig Regan and his excellent Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team in using the modern slavery legislation in such an innovative way.

“This is a welcome boost to the already successful multi-agency Barrowcliff ‘Clear, Hold, Build project’, which has seen a 25% decrease in overall crime on the estate since March last year.

“I know the team are more determined than ever to keep up this outstanding effort. They will continue to put maximum pressure on prolific and harmful criminals such as Chinchen, for the benefit of local residents now and for years to come.”

On Friday (Oct 31), 2025, Scarborough Magistrates’ Court imposed a full five-year STRO on Chinchen.

The full order prohibited him from entering any of a list of 44 properties across Scarborough without the required permission and from possessing a mobile phone that was not registered with North Yorkshire Police.

It also imposed restrictions relating to violence, intimidation, coercion and harassment and prohibited him from entering an exclusion zone covering the Barrowcliff Estate, Northstead and Woodlands areas of Scarborough.

The order is due to expire on October 30, 2030.

PC Sophie Milner, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a challenging investigation, as victims of Chinchen’s behaviour don’t want to give evidence due to the fear of repercussions. Chinchen, whilst targeting and exploiting vulnerable members of our community, has had no regard for their emotional and psychological health. This has also had a greater impact on the wider community and supporting partners. I would like to thank those partners and the victims themselves, for showing courage to provide evidence to help secure the order.”

Chinchen subsequently breached the order by attending properties on Elders Street on June 30, 2026, and Queen Street between July 3 and July 7.

He admitted those breaches at York Magistrates’ Court on August 25.

Following his release from prison on Thursday (Aug 7), police issued an appeal for Chinchen after saying he had absconded from Probation Service-approved accommodation in Leeds that night.

Police said he had breached his licence conditions and the STRO and was believed to be heading to, or already in, the Scarborough area.

On Tuesday (Sep 15), Chinchen, now 37 and of no fixed address, was sentenced at York Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of breaching a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order.

He was jailed for two years and eight months.

Inspector Craig Regan, of Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We welcome the prison sentence that has been handed to Robert Chinchen. It is the result of excellent police work and outstanding community partnership that we have built in Scarborough.

“This outcome sends a warning to others who target, manipulate, intimidate, and exploit vulnerable people. We will work with our partners and use every available power to rid you from our communities.”