It is illegal to enter Britain by irregular means, but nobody wants to prosecute illegal immigrants

It is against the law, under section 3(1)(a) of the 1971 Immigration Act, to enter this country without leave. The government though is anxious not to prosecute people for this offence and therefore go out of their way to help those crossing the channel in small boats to evade the consequences of their actions. This is why the RNLI and Royal Navy are deployed; to aid illegal immigration to Britain.