A woman was pushed to the ground and robbed of her purse near the Halifax waterfront late Thursday afternoon.

The 21-year-old was walking north on Lower Water Street in front of the Keith's Brewery when a man attacked her from behind and grabbed her purse from her shoulder, Halifax police said.

The purse is described as a black, shoulder-style bag with a white Bentley logo on it, containing cash and personal items.

Police checked the area but the suspect could not be found.

They are looking for a light-skinned black male, five feet 10 inches with an athletic build and wearing a Tap Out zip-up hooded sweater with dark pants and a white flat brim hat.

Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect to call 902-490-5016.

Similarly, if anyone has observed similar suspicious activity in the area, they are encouraged to report the incident to police. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or texting a tip - Tip 202 + your message to 274637.