BRITS have been warned to avoid wearing Canada Goose coats as a shocking video emerged showing a teen being mugged for his jacket.
The luxury coats – which can cost more than £1,500, with the cheapest selling for £495 – are being increasingly targeted by muggers, according to a leading criminologist.
On Sunday, two 16-year-old boys were arrested after a man was attacked for wearing the Canadian winter clothing brand at a train station in south-east London.
Concerning footage recorded at Elmstead Woods station in Chislehurst on December 28 shows the victim pleading for the pair to get off him as they heckle him for his designer jacket.
The British Transport Police (BTP) have confirmed that two teenagers ended up in custody in connection with the attack.
And they are now appealing for further witnesses to come forward – especially a man who intervened to help the victim and a female bystander.
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Another man claimed he was slashed in the face with a knife in December after being targeted for his jacket.
He shared a video, captioned ‘don’t die for Canada Goose’, of himself in hospital with a scar.
In early December, a man was also seen allegedly trying to rob a victim of his expensive coat as the pair were seen scuffling together outside the Royal Academy in Mayfair.
Meanwhile Transport for London warned young Londoners to be aware of an increase in thefts of expensive outerwear like Canada Goose and North Face.
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Robberies increased by 108 per cent on the London Underground compared to last year, with 340 recorded from April to September this year.
David Wilson, a professor of criminology at Birmingham City University, warned people who own Canada Goose to be “cautious”.
“It could be the start of a new spate of luxury item muggings,” he told MailOnline.
“Thieves used to target Rolex watches which go for thousands of pounds and then flog them online because they’re usually stolen to order.
“I would tell anyone wearing Canada Goose jackets to be careful and be aware of your surroundings and who’s around you.
“You have to be vigilant for opportunists who might try to steal them.”
The brand has been endorsed by celebrities including Kate Upton, who wore a parka on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and Ryan Reynolds who joined the company to donate parkas for 300 students in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, during the pandemic.
Siwan Hayward, Transport for London’s director of security, policing and enforcement, revealed that “acquisitive crime“, including thefts and pickpocketing, was “driving the increase in our overall crime rate”.
She added: “What is being stolen? Airpods, phones and – we are at risk of seeing an increase in robbery because of this – branded coats.
“Canada Goose coats, some North Face – they are targeted for robbery.
“It’s a real concern to us because it really impacts on the safety of young people on the network.”
“It’s a very, concerning, intimidating and frightening type of behaviour that we are seeing across the capital,” she added.
A spokesperson for the BTP said: “We are aware of footage of an attempted robbery circulating on X.
“On 28 December, we arrested two 16-year-old boys in connection with the incident.
“They have been released on conditional bail.
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“We urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 394 of 28 Dec.
“In particular, we would like to hear from a man who intervened to help the victim and a woman who was present at the time.”
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Jonathan Rose
