Comprehensive income (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Amounts attributable to Brink's [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 30.8	$ 23.9	$ 58.7	$ 37.2
Benefit plan adjustments	8.1	6.6	23.1	7.4
Benefit plan settlements	(0.5)	0	(1.2)	0
Foreign currency	(72.5)	43.0	(33.8)	0.1
Available-for-sale securities	(0.9)	2.0	(1.6)	2.3
Other comprehensive loss	(65.8)	51.6	(13.5)	9.8
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brinks	(35.0)	75.5	45.2	47.0
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Net income	4.9	3.3	14.9	9.4
Foreign currency	(2.5)	2.6	(1.8)	3.9
Available-for-sale securities	0	0	0.1	0.5
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2.5)	2.6	(1.7)	4.4
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2.4	5.9	13.2	13.8
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (32.6)	$ 81.4	$ 58.4	$ 60.8