A 51-year-old woman was walking south on the footpath alongside the Princes Highway at Figtree near Cobblers Hill when she was grabbed from behind by a man about 7.50pm.

The woman was carrying shopping bags and two shoulder bags which fell to the ground before the man ran from the scene empty handed towards William Street, police said.

The woman suffered minor injuries during the incident.

Wollongong police and the dog unit patrolled the area but could not find the attacker.

Investigating officers would like to speak with a man described as being about 175cm tall with short dark hair and was last seen wearing a grey track suit.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.