Saturday 24 February 2001 Arrests as fans fight in street by Matthew Wild Members of Derby Lunatic Fringe are believed to have been involved in violence which saw up to 100 people fighting running battles outside a city-centre pub. Trouble flared outside the Waggon and Horses in Ashbourne Road at 7pm on Saturday as a group of Stoke City fans left the pub. Between 40 and 100 people, some armed, were involved in battles through residential streets. Bricks and glasses were hurled, causing damage to businesses in the area. Police officers were pelted with missiles as they tried to break up the fighting. Nineteen fans have been charged with public order offences. They have been bailed to appear before Derby magistrates on March 13. Police say all the men are Stoke City supporters. But detectives are now investigating the possibility that the group was ambushed on leaving the pub by Derby County's hooligan element, the DLF. Witnesses to the terrifying scenes saud last night that the Stoke fans, returning home after watching their team lose 2-1 at Rotherham, had been enjoying a quiet drink before the violence erupted. Regular Brett Ambleton (27), of Windmill Hill Lane, said: "Basically all the Stoke lads were in here having a nice, quiet drink. There were about 30 or 40 of them and they were in for about an hour. On their way out of the pub they were ambushed by Derby Lunatic Fringe." Another customer, who did not want to be named, said: "They were set up. They were a nice bunch of youths and they never caused any problems. "But as they left a gang was waiting for them outside." Landlord Chris Sheldrake said: "It appeared as though there were hundreds of people involved in a fight out in the street, so I locked the door. "Some people tried to kick the door and then they threw a brick through the window and everyone dived for cover. The pub was packed at the time." Detective Sergeant Eric Barthorpe, who is leading the investigation, said a police car was bombarded as the first officers arrived at the scene. The windows were smashed as the three officers got out of the car but they were unhurt. Police then chased a gang into Windmill Hill Lane where the window of Hair Fashions was smashed. Det Sgt Barthorpe said: "We don't know at this stage what caused the trouble but we are looking at the possibility that the DLF was involved." The violence followed four arrests made immediately after Derby County's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. Three Villa fans were arrested at Pride Park after an assault on a steward at the end of the match. A further arrest was made after an assault on a worker at the JJB Sports store alongside the ground. Police will today conduct house-to-house inquiries in relation to the Ashbourne Road incident and are eager to speak to witnesses.