A security firm warned homeowners on Wednesday to be alert for burglars during the upcoming football World Cup, especially between 6 pm. and 10 p.m., when they most frequently strike. Security firm S1 said the warning was based on a review of burglary and theft statistics.

Using its 75,000 or so customers, S1 tracked burglaries and theft from 2003 until April this year and determined that the early evening slot is the most active time for burglars, accounting for 34.2 percent of cases. The next most popular time is between noon and 4 p.m. The firm said criminals take advantage of the common misconception that thieves always strike at night.

At the weekend, people are more likely to double-check their locks before leaving. But the result shows that Wednesdays saw the most burglaries with 17 percent, followed by Tuesday with 16 percent and Thursday with 14.3 percent. Sunday saw the fewest incidents with 11.4 percent.

Windows were the most popular way into houses with 48 percent, followed by balconies (17 percent), front doors (14 percent) and kitchen doors (8 percent). Houses were naturally more prone to burglaries than apartments. Burglaries were more common in the capital than in the provinces, but the rate was almost identical north and south of the Han River.

(englishnews@chosun.com )