Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 979.0	$ 995.8	$ 2,912.9	$ 2,888.4
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	799.0	807.7	2,384.9	2,373.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses	147.4	136.6	427.4	400.3
Total costs and expenses	946.4	944.3	2,812.3	2,774.2
Other operating income (expense)	4.5	11.0	5.4	5.7
Operating profit	37.1	62.5	106.0	119.9
Interest expense	(5.7)	(6.5)	(17.4)	(18.2)
Interest and other income (expense)	1.5	1.3	6.3	6.8
Income from continuing operations before tax	32.9	57.3	94.9	108.5
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	14.7	20.9	20.8	37.9
Income from continuing operations	18.2	36.4	74.1	70.6
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(0.7)	0	3.0
Net income	18.2	35.7	74.1	73.6
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4.7)	(4.9)	(13.1)	(14.9)
Net income attributable to Brink's	13.5	30.8	61.0	58.7
Income attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	13.5	31.5	61.0	55.7
Discontinued operations	0	(0.7)	0	3.0
Net income attributable to Brink's	$ 13.5	$ 30.8	$ 61.0	$ 58.7
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.28	$ 0.66	$ 1.26	$ 1.17
Discontinued operations	$ 0	$ (0.02)	$ 0	$ 0.06
Net income	$ 0.28	$ 0.64	$ 1.26	$ 1.23
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.28	$ 0.66	$ 1.26	$ 1.16
Discontinued operations	$ 0	$ (0.02)	$ 0	$ 0.06
Net income	$ 0.28	$ 0.64	$ 1.26	$ 1.22
Weighted-average shares
Basic	48.5	48.0	48.4	47.8
Diluted	48.6	48.1	48.6	48.1
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.30	$ 0.30