Police said the 58-year-old victim was attending to his coffee van about 5.30am when a man jumped into a back door of the vehicle armed with a weapon, possibly a knife.

But the victim grabbed and knife and told the would-be robber to leave.

The bandit obliged.

The attack occurred near the intersection of Turton and Station streets.

The offender was wearing a black balaclava, black tracksuit pants and a black hooded jumper.

He left in a dark-coloured Holden Commodore sedan, which was last seen travelling towards Platt Street, Mayfield.

Any information should be forwarded to Newcastle City detectives on 4929 0999.