Small SA community reeling after callous cemetery attack

A small South Australia community is reeling after a callous attack on the town's cemetry.

Dozens of headstones and memorials have been desecrated in Auburn, 100km north of Adelaide, with police describing the incident as malicious and senseless.

"I just can't believe the effort they've gone to to damage, absolutely unbelievable," angered local resident Douglas Kench said.

The damage to the 46 memorials comes at a cost of close to $300,000 and has left the local mayor seething.

"It's an act of barbarity, the severity is unprecedented in our area," Mayor Allan Aughey said.

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The heartbreaking vandalism was discovered on Saturday but police believe it happened sometime during the past three days.

South Australia police have no suspects or motive for the malicious attack as they call for anyone with information to come forward.