Mugging attempt made before man drowned on Hobart's waterfront

Tasmania Police have arrested four people in relation to the drowning of a 27-year-old man in Hobart on Monday night.

Police say they arrested a 17-year-old woman, a 25-year-old woman, a 17-year-old man and a 19-year old man after conducting searches in Glenorchy and Claremont.

EARLIER:

Tasmania Police believe a 27-year-old man who drowned on Hobart's waterfront on Monday night was pushed into the water after a person unknown to him attempted to steal his female companion's handbag.

Police were called to Hobart's Princes Wharf at 10pm after reports that a man and a woman had fallen from the wharf.

Detective Inspector David Gill said the woman managed to swim to a nearby ladder, climbed out of the water and raised the alarm.

He said the man, who could not swim, struggled to stay on the surface.

"Two passing members of the public initially entered the water to help the man, with police attending shortly afterwards finding all three men struggling," Detective Inspector Gill said.

He said three police officers entered the water and pulled the man onto the rear deck of the PV Van Diemen which was moored nearby and medical assistance was provided to him.

"Sadly, the man could not be revived," Detective Inspector Gill said.

The other two men climbed out using a nearby ladder.

Detective Inspector Gill praised their heroic efforts.

He said following extensive investigations, police believed the man and the woman had been pushed into the water by someone unknown to them after an attempt to steal the woman's handbag.

"We are calling on the person or people involved to come forward to police to assist us with our investigation so we can help provide closure to the family involved," Detective Inspector Gill said.

"We would also like to hear from anyone with information to please come forward and report to police on 13144 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au."