The changes came into force two weeks ago

The changes came into force two weeks ago and some vendors claim they have been placed in view of closed circuit TV cameras.

Officials have denied the claims and say they just want the sellers spread more evenly throughout the city centre.

But vendors say they are being picked on after the conviction of a number of men for drugs offences who had connections to the Big Issue, and who were caught on CCTV.

They've tarred everyone with the same brush Steve Towler, Big Issue vendor

But the city centre authorities say the changes are not to do with drugs.

Plymouth's CCTV manger, Mike Artherton, says the changes were made because there were previously too many Big Issue vendors in one place.

"The city centre has a vast CCTV system in the interests of public safety," said Mr Artherton.

"And right the way through the city centre the streets are subject to CCTV protection.

"The sites have just been chosen simply on the basis that we needed to distribute the vendors throughout the city more and not concentrate them on one area."

But one Big Issue seller Steven Towler, says it is not fair.

"They've tarred everyone with the same brush," said Mr Towler.

"You sell the Big Issue so you're obviously a heroin addict and therefore you need watching, which, in a way, is against human rights."