Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 18.2	$ 35.7	$ 74.1	$ 73.6
Benefit plan adjustments:
Net experience gains (losses) arising during the year	(3.8)	(1.0)	(11.1)	(4.7)
Tax benefit (provision) related to net experience gains and losses arising during the year	1.2	0.3	3.2	1.3
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior net experience loss included in net income	18.6	12.1	56.6	36.3
Tax benefit related to reclassification adjustment for prior net experience loss	(6.6)	(4.3)	(20.3)	(13.0)
Prior service cost (credit) from plan amendment during the year	0.2	0	(12.0)	0
Tax benefit (provision) related to prior service cost (credit) from plan amendment during the year	0	0	4.2	0
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net income	1.1	0.9	2.9	2.7
Tax provision (benefit) related to reclassification adjustment for prior service cost (credit)	(0.2)	(0.3)	(0.7)	(0.9)
Deferred profit sharing	0.2	(0.1)	0.5	0.2
Benefit plan adjustments, net of tax	10.7	7.6	23.3	21.9
Foreign currency:
Translation adjustments arising during the year	11.9	(75.0)	1.0	(35.6)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	11.9	(75.0)	1.0	(35.6)
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized net gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during the year	0.3	(1.4)	0.8	1.9
Reclassification to foreign currency	0	0	0	0
Tax benefit (provision) related to unrealized net gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	(0.1)	0.5	(0.2)	0.1
Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses realized in net income	(0.7)	0	(2.8)	(4.4)
Tax provision (benefit) related to reclassification adjustment	0.2	0	1.0	0.9
Unrealized net gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(0.3)	(0.9)	(1.2)	(1.5)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	22.3	(68.3)	23.1	(15.2)
Comprehensive income (loss)	40.5	(32.6)	97.2	58.4
Amounts attributable to Brink's [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Brink's	13.5	30.8	61.0	58.7
Benefit plan adjustments	10.5	7.6	26.2	21.9
Foreign currency	11.2	(72.5)	(0.8)	(33.8)
Available-for-sale securities	(0.3)	(0.9)	(1.2)	(1.6)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21.4	(65.8)	24.2	(13.5)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brink's	34.9	(35.0)	85.2	45.2
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Net income	4.7	4.9	13.1	14.9
Benefit plan adjustments	0.2	0	(2.9)	0
Foreign currency	0.7	(2.5)	1.8	(1.8)
Available-for-sale securities	0	0	0	0.1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0.9	(2.5)	(1.1)	(1.7)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5.6	2.4	12.0	13.2
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 40.5	$ (32.6)	$ 97.2	$ 58.4