The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) has named the winners of its inaugural Parkforce Awards.

Paul Spriggs, an urban park development ranger from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, won the award for Britain’s Best Park Worker and Leicester City Council’s parks service was named Britain’s Best Parkforce.

Spriggs was chosen for “the tireless work” he has done at Rosehill Victoria Park in Rotherham, which has included the introduction of a Junior Ranger programme and an initiative to combat graffiti, criminal damage and nuisance vehicles, both of which involve young people from the area.

Leicester’s Parkforce was chosen because of its significant impact on preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, a reduction in arson attacks and an increase in park use.

The Parkforce Awards are part of CABE’s Parkforce campaign which was launched last year in a bid to encourage councils across England to pledge to have dedicated staff present during daylight hours in every significant urban park. Details: www.cabe.org.uk

Photograph: The winner of the Parkforce Award for Britain’s Best Park Worker, Paul Spriggs