Safety in Spain

I'm planning to spend winter in Spain, for the first time. Probably on the Costa Blanca in the Denia/Javea area. I've been researching forums/blogs/Facebook pages of people who live there permanently, to get an idea of what goes on in the Brit expat community.

I'm becoming alarmed at the amount of crime that people talk about. Mainly so-called petty crime such as pick-pocketing, and sleight of hand con tricks in busy public places. But also burglaries, car-jackings and muggings.

I live in a city myself, so I know these things can happen everywhere, but it does seem to be a regular topic, and people do seem to be saying that it is getting worse, with Eastern European gangs involved.

What does everyone think? Is this exaggerated? How safe are the caravan sites?