This is the “terrifying” scene which greeted a police officer who had been called out to a report of domestic assault at a south west London home.

At least 19 blades, differing in size, were found stuck into a wooden staircase with two on each step at the address in Isleworth.

The picture shows some of the knives piercing orange cards, while there also appears to be a bullet – or replica – on one step.

Inspector Jack Rowlands posted the photo to Twitter with the caption: “A few weeks back a colleague of mine went to a domestic assault & found this when he entered. Male arrested & charged.”

The picture, which has been retweeted hundreds of times, has been met with shock and horror on the social media site.

“That is so sinister…” wrote one Twitter user. Others described the scene as “chilling” and “frightening in the extreme”.

The Ipswich East Police force wrote that “it’s like something from a horror movie".

Insp Rowlands later added: “Lots of comments & shock about this picture. An image that raises the awareness of #domesticviolence & how much more is needed to be done.”

Guy Slade, 42, is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on April 4 charged with common assault.