A French tourist reportedly refused to pay the bill for a haircut days before he allegedly stole a busker's money in Taiwan.

The foreigner, identified by local media as Jia, was first reported to police after causing trouble at a hair salon in Taipei on October 26.

Jia allegedly refused to pay for a trim and dye, shouted at staff, and poked customers with a cigarette, prompting workers to call for police assistance.

Footage shows the unruly visitor in a black top arguing with a woman believed to be the salon owner, while others tried to block him from entering the shop.

Reports said his credit card payment failed, and he had no cash, so officers stepped in to pay the bill for him.

The filmer said: 'This foreigner came to the store very drunk and started harassing us. After finishing his hair-dyeing session, he tried to pay by card, but there wasn't enough balance.

'Today, he came back again and even tried to hit customers with a cigarette. It was unbelievable! Please be careful if you see him around.'

Chen Wei-hsun, chief of Ximending Police Station under the Wanhua Precinct, said: ‘Officers at the scene immediately took the man back to the police station. The case is being investigated on charges of intimidation and assault.'

The tourist was later caught causing another disturbance in the Ximending shopping district on November 4. He was seen wearing a red top and knee-length shorts, and was dancing and smiling in the middle of the road.

One bystander said: 'The blond man not only harassed a street performer by blowing on her face and pressing his lips against hers several times, but also took money from the donation box before denying he had stolen it.'

Residents have since called for the arrest of the unruly traveller, who entered the country on a visitor visa and continued to cause public disorder.