Other Operating Income (Expense) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 EUR (€)
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Share of earnings of unconsolidated equity affiliates				$ 4.8	$ 3.9	$ 4.5
Royalty income				1.7	7.6	8.6
Gains (losses) on sale of property and other assets				1.2	1.2	9.4
Impairment losses				(4.7)	(0.7)	(2.7)
Gain on sale of U.S. Document Destruction business	6.7			6.7	0	0
Bargain purchase of Mexican CIT business				2.1	5.1	0
Remeasurement of previously held ownership interest to fair value				0.4	(13.7)	14.9
Deconsolidation of Brink's Belgium and write - down to fair value				0	(13.4)	0
Settlement loss related to Belgium bankruptcy		(10.1)	(7.0)	(10.1)	0	0	(9.0)
Currency exchange transaction losses				(4.2)	(4.0)	(41.4)
Foreign currency hedge gains				2.2	0	0
Other				3.1	4.5	3.2
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net				$ 3.2	$ (9.5)	$ (3.5)