KEY POINTS:
The tired looks on the faces of Gisborne police officers this morning said it all, with many working through the night and into this morning in the aftermath of the quake.
Off duty officers who had worked all day yesterday put sleep aside last night to report for duty only minutes after the quake.
And a good thing they did, with police being the first port of call for many worried residents.
Worried family members who could not get through on the phones to loved ones called police with the hope they could pop around and check up on them, which in many instances they did.
Several officers were called to clear pubs and clubs, with some pubs still being full of people well after the quake.
Other officers spent all night at cordons around the central city to prevent looters entering extensively damaged shops.
Senior Sergeant Moera Brown said the quake struck when shops were still open for Christmas shopping.
Merchandise came off shelves and power was cut, but business people coped well clearing their premises of customers, she said.
Security guards were also called to help ensure the area was secure overnight and prevent looting.
Shoppers should not go into the CBD this morning, she said.
"Our advice is for people to wait until midday before they consider coming into town."
Senior Sergeant Tony Gibson said there had been no attempts of looting or of people getting angry when they were refused entry into the CBD.
"Everyone has been very patient considering," he said.
They had not had to call in any out of town staff to help out, he said.
- NZPA
