»The most senior policeman in Islington says the borough is not at risk from a Breaking Bad style crystal meth epidemic – despite people being caught dealing in the past year.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Gazette reveals that three people were arrested for possessing or supplying the Class A drug methamphetamine in 2013.

The drug has been raised into the public consciousness by the hit TV show Breaking Bad, in which a school teacher with terminal cancer starts making the drug to raise cash for his family.

But Det Chf Sup Gerry Campbell, Islington’s borough commander, says the drug – which can have devastating effects for users – is not a problem in the borough.

He said: “Lets face it, meth has been available for a long time – it’s not something new.

“It has been found in London and there have been labs up and running, but as this investigation shows it is not something we would identify with the borough.

“We conduct a lot of search warrants to tackle the drugs on the market and they have been successful.

“We find coke, heroin and crack, but don’t regularly come across crystal meth.

“We know it has serious health risks for people who come into contact with it, so if we suspect it’s on the scene we make sure officers have right equipment to protect themselves.

“But it’s not freely available in the borough, either production of possession.

“As far as I am aware we have never found a laboratory here.”

There’s evidence that long-term methamphetamine use can cause brain damage. Hitler was said to have taken it, while German troops were also believed to have been dosed with it in WWII to make them fearless.

Det Chf Sup Campbell added: “We do know it has devastating impact on people who take it.

“So if anyone knows anyone involved with the supply or production, we urge them to get in touch.”

Anyone with information can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.