Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 3,885.5	$ 3,121.5	$ 3,135.0
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	3,174.3	2,536.4	2,534.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses	543.1	429.3	430.2
Total costs and expenses	3,717.4	2,965.7	2,964.7
Other operating income (expense)	3.2	(9.5)	(3.5)
Operating profit	171.3	146.3	166.8
Interest expense	(24.0)	(14.8)	(11.3)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	9.1	8.1	10.8
Income from continuing operations before tax	156.4	139.6	166.3
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	59.4	67.1	(61.1)
Income from continuing operations	97.0	72.5	227.4
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1.5	0.3	4.5
Net income	98.5	72.8	231.9
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(24.0)	(15.7)	(31.7)
Net income attributable to Brink's	74.5	57.1	200.2
Income (loss) attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	73.0	56.8	195.7
Discontinued operations	1.5	0.3	4.5
Net income attributable to Brink's	$ 74.5	$ 57.1	$ 200.2
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 1.52	$ 1.18	$ 4.14
Discontinued operations	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.10
Net income	$ 1.56	$ 1.18	$ 4.23
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 1.52	$ 1.17	$ 4.11
Discontinued operations	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.10
Net income	$ 1.55	$ 1.18	$ 4.21
Weighted-average shares
Basic	47.8	48.2	47.2
Diluted	48.1	48.4	47.5