Watch: The best and worst things about living in Nechells in Birmingham according to locals

I'm here today in Nechells, an area with much notoriety for being a hive of criminal activity. Do the raw numbers really illustrate what life is like here though? I ask the residents here about their thoughts on what everyday life is like in this area of Birmingham.

Martin says: “I've lived here for 14 years and I've not had a problem with anyone. The people around here, the locals, are really nice and friendly. I would say the people in Nechells can be good, but I truly believe that the government just sticks people in the same area, that's why we have a lot of issues.”

Nechells, situated North-East of the city centre, has historically been an area settled by immigrants and has a diverse population. Despite their sense of community the area is ravaged by poverty and residents here feel neglected by the authorities.

Paul says: “How I feel is that Birmingham City Council has let this street run down to the ground - and the litter, it's disgusting really.”

One organisation supporting this deprived ward are Free@Last who sing praises for the areas human potential.

Abigail Delaney, Senior Youth Worker for Free@Last, says: “Yes, so living in Nechells has its challenges. Some of those challenges are the people that live here can be very vulnerable, the people that live here can struggle financially, even for food. However, one of the great things about Nechells is its sense of community and that people support one another.

“So whatever you've heard on the news about this area, come and check it out. The people are friendly, the people are welcoming, we have such a cultural mix and diversity here that it's like a fantastic place to work and I feel really privileged to have been welcomed into the community here.”

Despite the struggles of life here, Nechells has produced some of Birmingham's most notable figures over the years. And further development of the area planned over the next couple of decades might make Nechells one of the city's most attractive areas to live.