Comprehensive income (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Amounts attributable to Brink's [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 7.9	$ 21.5	$ 27.9	$ 13.3
Benefit plan adjustments	7.1	6.7	15.0	0.8
Benefit plan settlements	(0.7)	0	(0.7)	0
Foreign currency	15.6	(29.7)	38.7	(42.9)
Available-for-sale securities	0.3	(0.7)	(0.7)	0.3
Other comprehensive loss	22.3	(23.7)	52.3	(41.8)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brinks	30.2	(2.2)	80.2	(28.5)
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Net income	4.7	2.9	10.0	6.1
Foreign currency	0.7	0.3	0.7	1.3
Available-for-sale securities	0	0	0.1	0.5
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0.7	0.3	0.8	1.8
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5.4	3.2	10.8	7.9
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 35.6	$ 1.0	$ 91.0	$ (20.6)