A woman has struggled to fend off a thief while he was trying to steal her handbag in Brisbane's CBD.

The man had forcibly taken the woman's handbag on Adelaide Street about 9.10am on Thursday before trying to flee, police said.

However, a Good Samaritan who saw the attack unfold came to the woman’s aid and was able to retrieve the handbag.

The man fled the scene on foot without the handbag.

No one was injured during the incident.

Police are calling on anyone with vision of the man or anyone who may know his identify.