According to the BBC, "police in Northern Ireland have joined in the wristband craze sweeping the nation in a bid to combat the problem of hate crime in the province."

The police are distributing "multi-coloured wristbands" to "school pupils from primary five to primary seven.... The message 'Respect Difference' is embossed on the band."

The police justified the idea and responded to criticism by saying "they hoped the scheme would help encourage children to respect everyone regardless of their 'creed, religion, race, colour or sexuality.'"