From making hearts with their hands to thrusting a middle finger at police, a peaceful pro-Palestinian picket in Melbourne’s southeast turned sour quickly on Tuesday.

About 50 protesters were corralled and driven back by uniformed officers and members of the police mounted division following a five-hour demonstration outside manufacturing business, AW Bell.

The local collective, known as Weapons Out Of Naarm, had attempted to disrupt workers from entering the premises because of their links to Lockheed Martin aircraft manufacturing.

Protesters were given their “first and final warning” to move away from the entrance off Remington Dr just before 9.30am.

“I’m directing you to cease your unlawful activity,” one officer barked over a megaphone.

Footage of the ensuing clash showed one protester extending a middle finger at officers while others chanted in the background.

After a handful of AW Bell employees were able to make it in the factory with police assistance, tensions eased and both parties cleared from the area.

No arrests were made but a Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed traffic had been disrupted.

Tuesday’s protest marked the seventh community action and fourth picket against the company, in the hope AW Bell would end its contracts with weapons manufacturers.

It follows a string of early-morning demonstrations in recent months and the wider community in Dandenong has grown accustomed to rallies at least once a fortnight.

Tuesday’s protest is unlikely to be the last with one activist confirming actions would be taken against AW Bell until a desired outcome was reached. “We will continue to mobilise outside AW Bell, until all the above demands are met,” they said.