Police are searching for a man at the centre of an attempted robbery in Strathfield.

A man approached a group of women sitting inside a café on Albert Road, Strathfield, when he allegedly picked up a handbag and placed it inside his backpack.

A 65-year-old woman attempted to grab the backpack off the man before a struggle ensued and the man tried to leave the café.

The woman held onto the backpack and was dragged along the floor before a second woman – aged 78 – was knocked to the ground, hitting her head.

The man ran from the scene, leaving behind the backpack and handbag.

The older woman was treated at the scene and taken to Concord Hospital with head injuries.

The man is described as being of Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 40 years old.

Police believe the man boarded a Penrith-bound train on platform six at Strathfield station not long after the incident.