There have been at least seven cases of high-end winter coats being stolen from people reported to the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

Police say there have been six cases of theft since November 2019 as well as one coat stolen during a robbery. Four of the thefts happened at restaurants and cafes when the coats were left unattended while the other two jackets were stolen when they were left in an unlocked locker and vehicle.

In another, a person walking on Phillip Street in Waterloo on Dec. 20 was robbed of their jacket after being approached by two males, police say.

"The suspects assaulted the victim and demanded that he surrender his winter jacket and personal belongings. The victim did not sustain any physical injuries," police said in a release.

The high-end winter coats include brands like Canada Goose and Moose Knuckle that can cost hundreds of dollars, says Const. Ashley Dietrich.

"This is a new trend that we are seeing," she said, noting many of the thefts are happening in the area near the two universities in Waterloo.

"It is certainly a crime of opportunity, so we are reminding the public to make sure that they're not leaving their high-end property unattended, so hopefully lessening the number of victims that we are seeing."

Dietrich says they're also recommending people walk with a friend when possible, to walk on busy streets and to be aware of their surroundings.

Police in Hamilton have also investigated similar thefts. Nine youths were arrested after at least 17 cases of armed robberies. In those cases, people who wore a coat were approached by a group of people who brandished a weapon and demanded their coat.