The wristband craze sweeping the nation has been seized upon in Northern Ireland - by the Police Service, it was disclosed today.
The PSNI has started doling out its own bands to children and young people across the province to try to combat the growing problem of hate crime.
The message Respect Difference is embossed on the band, with the Police Service website address - www.psni.police.uk - which has a large section on hate crimes.
“We believe it is for everyone to promote respect and police feel that this initiative will contribute towards that,” said a spokesman.
“We are trying to tell children and young people to respect everyone whatever their creed, religion, race, colour or sexuality,” he added.
The multi-coloured bands have deliberately been made the colour of every wristband currently available.
Officers have been handing them out to children during visits to primary schools and at events and stocks have been sent to police stations across the province.
“Anyone can pop into their local station and pick up a wristband,” said the PSNI.
Sinn Fein criticised the initiative. While police said the wristbands were handed out by officers in uniform and only during visits to primary schools or at events, the republicans alleged they were being handed out by plain clothed officers in the Northlands area of Derry because they had not been permitted into schools in the nationalist area.
Derry councillor Billy Page said doling them out in the street was “irresponsible” as it worked against the “Stranger Danger” schemes used to educate young children against accepting gifts from strangers.
PA