There is a lot of coastline and not that many police/coastguards. In fact we have been closing down the coastguard stations since satellite tracking of commercial shipping became the norm.

(I come from a part of the UK that was notorious for smuggling, wrecking and other forms of piracy).

They're referring to the aslyum seekers (groan)

605 on 10 boats just 3 days ago...

FWIW it's a political problem, not a defence problem.