The 62-year-old woman was walking along Totterdell Street about 8.15pm, when she was approached by the man who grabbed her handbag and pushed her to the ground after a brief struggle.

The woman suffered injuries to her right hand and had to be taken to hospital.

An ACT Policing spokeswoman said the man was possibly of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, around 183cm in height with a thin build.

He was wearing a light blue jumper with a hood pulled over his head and a dark coloured mask concealing the bottom half of his face.

Despite a full search of the area, officers were unable to locate the man.

Belconnen Station Sergeant Jeff Knight said it was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable person.

“ACT Policing treats all robberies seriously, but these types of incidents where the victim is an elderly person are cowardly," he said.

“I urge anyone with information about this incident, or knows someone matching the description of the offender to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers. Crimes against the most vulnerable community members will never be tolerated by ACT Policing or the public."

Anyone with information about the man or who may have witnessed the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at act.crimestoppers.com.au.