Perth’s methamphetamine epidemic has earnt it a listing alongside war-ravaged parts of Syria and South American cities ruled by notorious drug cartels as one of the most dangerous places on earth.

The Sun newspaper, the biggest-selling paper in Britain, made the outrageous claim in an online article titled Bad World.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan rubbished Perth’s inclusion yesterday, saying it was not based on fact.

The Sun claims WA suffers from “widespread crystal meth use”. It describes Perth’s meth scourge as a “dark secret” lurking far from the country’s famous tourist hotspots.

“Perth is the capital of Western Australia, the State with the worst crystal meth problem in the country,” the article says. “Crystal meth abuse Down Under has turned rural areas in Western Australia into what have been dubbed ‘Ice Towns’.

“Perth sees its hospitals filled with addicts who commit crimes to fund their habit.”

The article rates Perth alongside 10 other cities including Raqqa in Syria — which has been under the occupation of Islamic State since 2013.

It also includes Kiev in Ukraine where war has erupted, Mogadishu in Somalia which has been torn apart by decades of war and al-Qaida backed militant attacks, and San Pedro Sula in Honduras, where the murder rate is 173.6 per 100,000 people — the highest in the world.

Camera Icon Kiev and the rest of Ukraine has been subject to unrest for years. Credit: Getty Images

“The world is a dangerous place and trouble can spring up, even in countries normally thought of as ‘safe’,” The Sun says. “The Middle East, the drug capitals of Latin America and many parts of Africa are all dismissed as ‘dangerous’ but a closer look at the West reveals it too has its problems.”

Mr O’Callaghan said the article was not based on statistics, which showed offences declining by 15 per cent over the past decade on a per capita basis.

“The newspaper seems to have made an unsophisticated connection between methamphetamine usage and the relative safety of cities around the world,” he said.

“While meth use continues to be a significant issue for the community, Perth remains a safe place to live and visit.”

Ms Scaffidi said Perth was by world standards a safe, liveable and vibrant city.

“For more than 10 years, Perth has continued to score highly from credible organisations such as the Economist Intelligence Unit in global liveability rankings,” she said.

Camera Icon Ana Meihana with her daughter Satori Peak in South Perth. Credit: Micheal Wilson/The West Australian

Perth mother Ana Meihana, who was enjoying the South Perth foreshore yesterday with her daughter Satori, said The Sun’s comparison was ridiculous.

“I think it is pretty far-fetched,” Ms Meihana said.

“Everywhere has problems and it’s not just Perth. I don’t think the comparison is very fair at all.

“It’s very very different here. It is absolutely beautiful here by the river. I can bring my daughter down to the park and the swings and not have to worry about anything.”