Some NSW?police commands are now cracking down on parents who let their kids walk to school alone, and have threatened to notify the Department of Community Services in cases where they believe the child’s safety has been put at risk.

Yesterday, parents of students enrolled at Wagga Public School said they would only let their children walk alone if they were of high school age.

Eight-year-old Kyle Deyzel’s mother Chantelle always collects her son either from the bus stop or from school.

Originally from South Africa, Mrs Deyzel wouldn’t allow her children to walk home there and even in Wagga keeps a close on her children.

“When they’re 14 to 16 they can walk alone,” she said.

Wagga Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Rod Smith said officers would act if there was potential for harm, but believes it isn’t a big issue in Wagga.

Parent Brett Matthews said primary school children were too young to be walking alone to school or the shop.

“If the bus wasn’t taking them I’d prefer to take them to school (myself),” Mr Matthews said.

However, Mr Matthews said a friend’s house in the same street was all right, but something in the next suburb would be too far.

“You just never know these days,” he said.

Naomi Chapman said it depended on the child, as two nine-year-olds could be completely different and environmental factors such as distance and location were big considerations.

“You can teach them but until they’re in a situation you don’t know how they’ll react,” Ms Chapman said.