Two men who were allegedly planning to rob and kill British singer JOSS STONE were arrested near her house with rope, a body bag and . . . SWORDS. 

There were also reports that they had blueprints and aerial views of Joss's house.  (--But one cop said some of the reports about what the men had aren't completely accurate.  And really, where are these guys gonna get blueprints of the house?)

The men . . . who are 30 and 33 years old . . . drove 200 miles from Manchester to rural east Devon, where Joss lives in an isolated estate.  She's worth an estimated $14 million.

The plan was thwarted by neighbors who called police after seeing the two men "acting suspiciously" and driving slowly around the area. 

They were arrested and booked on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and murder.

A police spokesman says, quote, "The men had information and items that lead us to suspect that they may have intended to commit a criminal offence."

Joss issued a statement saying, quote, "I'd like to thank everyone for their concern but I'm absolutely fine and getting on with life as normal while the police continue with their inquiries."