Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 995.8	$ 776.1	$ 2,888.4	$ 2,240.9
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	807.7	626.5	2,373.9	1,840.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	136.6	107.6	400.3	310.2
Total costs and expenses	944.3	734.1	2,774.2	2,150.4
Other operating income (expense)	11.0	2.1	5.7	8.9
Operating profit	62.5	44.1	119.9	99.4
Interest expense	(6.5)	(4.2)	(18.2)	(9.0)
Interest and other income	1.3	0.6	6.8	2.7
Income from continuing operations before tax	57.3	40.5	108.5	93.1
Provision for income taxes	20.9	15.5	37.9	46.1
Income from continuing operations	36.4	25.0	70.6	47.0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(0.7)	2.2	3.0	(0.4)
Net income	35.7	27.2	73.6	46.6
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4.9)	(3.3)	(14.9)	(9.4)
Net income attributable to Brink's	30.8	23.9	58.7	37.2
Income (loss) attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	31.5	21.7	55.7	37.6
Discontinued operations	(0.7)	2.2	3.0	(0.4)
Net income attributable to Brink's	$ 30.8	$ 23.9	$ 58.7	$ 37.2
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.66	$ 0.45	$ 1.17	$ 0.78
Discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ (0.01)
Net income	$ 0.64	$ 0.50	$ 1.23	$ 0.77
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.66	$ 0.45	$ 1.16	$ 0.77
Discontinued operations	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ (0.01)
Net income	$ 0.64	$ 0.50	$ 1.22	$ 0.76
Weighted-average shares
Basic	48.0	47.8	47.8	48.4
Diluted	48.1	47.9	48.1	48.7
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.30	$ 0.30