More police on London streets as murder spike worries locals

A woman carries a flower to a crime scene in Link Street, Hackney, east London, Thursday April 5, 2018. This week, 18-year-old Israel Ogunsola became London's 53rd murder victim of 2018. The British capital is being shaken by a spike in deadly violence, much of it involving young people caught up in gang feuds. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP) — British police say they are deploying 300 more officers on the streets of London this weekend to confront a spike in stabbing and shootings that has sparked fears about rising crime.

There have been more than 50 homicides in London in 2018, with many of the victims young people caught up in gang-related violence.

The crime wave has drawn criticism of London's mayor, police tactics and government spending cuts.

Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick says violent crime is "a long-term problem which requires concerted long-term effort."

But former chief Ian Blair says budget cuts mean there are fewer officers on the beat. He told the BBC on Saturday that "if you take 20 percent of the Met's money away, something gives and the thing that has given is neighborhood policing."