A total of 480 street light poles have been vandalised in Kempton Park and the surrounding areas, the City of Ekurhuleni said on Wednesday.

Spokesman Themba Gadebe said the poles were damaged over a three week period.

"The poles are being broken into and the wires inside the poles are ripped out."

The affected areas were Esther Park, Kempton Park West, Terenure, Birch Acres, Birchleigh North, Norkem Park, Van Riebeeck Park, Edleen ,and Croydon.

"This theft and vandalism has a negative impact on response times for all other reported street light complaints as resources are stretched to the limit."

The municipality called on residents to help police find those responsible.

Gadebe said the municipality had appointed a security company to monitor several suburbs in Kempton Park to curb the theft.

"A contractor has been appointed to assist with the repairs. However, since repairs include first dismantling the poles, the process will probably take several weeks to complete."