A NSW Police document released under Freedom of Information lists seven offenders aged under 18 living in the 2650 postcode who are on a Suspect Target Management Plan (STMP).

Wagga and surrounds had more high-risk youth offenders than 170 other postcodes, including the western Sydney suburbs of Colyton, Woodcroft and Kingswood, as well as northern areas of Woolongong.

Mount Druitt had the highest number of youths on an STMP at 13 individuals out of 392 total across NSW.

In response to questions about the STMP and its frequent use in Wagga, a NSW Police spokesperson said the force's priority in youth crime was prevention, intervention and diversion.

"Unfortunately, some young people do find themselves on the wrong side of the law, and recidivist offenders may be subject to a STMP," the spokesperson said.

"The STMP is a framework which targets recidivist criminal offenders to prevent them from committing crimes and disrupt their capability to commit crime.

"An important part of its purpose is to help divert individuals away from criminal behaviour."

Wagga council Crime Prevention Working group youth member, Thomas Gardiner, aged 19, said it was "sad" that the city had some of the highest numbers of youth offenders on an STMP.

Mr Gardiner said there had been a lot of people suggesting on social media that parents be held liable for fines incurred by their underage children.

"These kids are clearly on this watchlist because they are a danger to the community," he said.

"Honestly, I'd like to see them sent away, with professionals, from the community to a camp or a farm so they are not tempted, to work on giving back to the community rather than taking from it.

"Putting them in juvenile detention just places them with people who are on the same level."

Mr Gardiner said Wagga was "getting such a bad rap" due to national media coverage in recent weeks, including the SBS TV documentary series 'Struggle Street that explored the city's youth crime issues.

"Wagga has got so much potential to be a great city but there are thugs out there that bring it down...it's a small minority that affect the majority of Wagga," Mr Gardiner said.

"If they would just see the good that happens day-to-day in Wagga, their impression would be so much different."

The STMP program has existed since 2000 and categorises offenders as 'extreme', 'high', 'medium' or 'low' risk.

Documents released by NSW Police did not reveal the risk levels for Wagga STMP offenders. Data showed the youngest person on the list in NSW was aged 9.

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In 2017, then Police Minister Paul Lynch told Parliament that offenders were selected for an STMP "based on the risk of each person to the community" but the exact details were "classified as protected information".

The Youth Justice Coalition has criticised the STMP for its "secrecy and arbitrary nature" and accused the program of disproportionately targeting Aboriginal children.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the force was "actively involved in programs and other strategies with relevant agencies aimed at engaging Indigenous youth to prevent them from coming into police custody and into the justice system".

"The Capability, Performance and Youth Commander must approve any (STMP) nomination of a young person aged under 14," the spokesperson said.

"On all occasions, the STMP undergoes a quality assurance process by a senior police officer to ensure the validity of the process.

"While deliberately engaged by police, STMP nominees are treated with respect and tolerance, but they are reminded that the community will not tolerate criminal behaviour."

The spokesperson said NSW Police was working "closely with the PCYC on a range of programs that aim to get young people job ready, break the domestic violence cycle, prevent and reduce re-offending".