A man arrested over the stabbing death of a woman in Newcastle last night was the victim’s former partner and had recently been released on parole, police say.

Officers arrived to find a “horrendous” scene at an apartment block in Mayfield at about 10:40pm on Friday after receiving reports a man had broken into the woman’s home.

Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said a 21-year-old woman was found with “significant injuries” on the landing of the Crebert Street unit.

She was treated at the scene for multiple stab wounds but died.

A man, 22, was arrested and is currently assisting police with their inquiries.

No charges have yet been laid.

Family violence support services:

Superintendent Humphrey said the man and woman had previously been in a relationship and an approved violence order (AVO) was in place at the time of the woman’s death.

“There is an AVO in play but the circumstances that have occurred since he was released on parole are under investigation,” he said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Police arrive at the crime scene after a domestic violence incident in Newcastle

The man is being treated for an injury police said occurred during the incident inside the woman’s unit.

Body-worn camera footage captured by attending police officers showed “a horrendous scene”, Superintendent Humphrey said.

A three-year-old child was also present and was found “covered in blood”, he said.

The child is now in the care of relatives.

“It would appear, thankfully, that child is not injured,” Superintendent Humphrey said.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police say the man broke into the 21-year-old’s house on Friday night.(Bindi Bryce: ABC News)