There has been a dramatic rise in youth knife crime in Britain

The experience of growing up in a socially deprived, inner city neighbourhood is a common one, no matter where you may live in the world.

In Britain's main cities, police and politicians say a worrying trend has developed where some young people are now carrying and using both knives and guns at an ever younger age.

The BBC's Nina Robinson takes a day out of the life of two youngsters in the English city of Birmingham to find out a little more about what it is that shapes their lives.

First broadcast August 2008

Listen to the programme (22 mins)