Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 109.7	$ 98.5	$ 72.8
Benefit plan adjustments:
Net experience losses arising during the year	(47.0)	(253.6)	(67.8)
Tax benefit related to net experience losses arising during the year	14.0	89.4	24.1
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior experience losses included in net income	74.3	48.5	37.8
Tax benefit related to reclassification adjustment for prior experience losses	(26.2)	(16.5)	(13.5)
Prior service cost from plan amendments during the year	(9.8)	0	(19.3)
Tax benefit related to prior service cost from plan amendments during the year	3.3	0	7.1
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost included in net income	4.0	3.5	2.7
Tax benefit related to reclassification adjustment for prior service cost	(1.0)	(1.1)	(0.9)
Deferred profit sharing	0.5	0.4	(0.4)
Benefit plan adjustments, net of tax	12.1	(129.4)	(30.2)
Foreign currency:
Translation adjustments arising during the year	3.4	(50.5)	4.6
Reclassification from available-for-sale securities	0	0	(0.6)
Tax benefit (provision) related to translation adjustments arising during the year	(0.2)	1.7	(0.1)
Reclassification adjustment for deconsolidation of a former subsidiary	0	0	(2.0)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	3.2	(48.8)	1.9
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized net gains arising during the year	0.8	2.1	5.4
Reclassification to foreign currency	0	0	0.6
Tax provision related to unrealized net gains arising during the year	(0.2)	0	(1.7)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income	(2.9)	(4.4)	(3.8)
Tax provision related to reclassification adjustment	1.0	0.9	1.1
Unrealized net gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(1.3)	(1.4)	1.6
Other comprehensive income (loss)	14.0	(179.6)	(26.7)
Comprehensive income (loss)	123.7	(81.1)	46.1
Amounts attributable to Brink's [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Brink's	88.9	74.5	57.1
Benefit plan adjustments	15.0	(129.4)	(30.2)
Foreign currency	0.8	(46.7)	(3.3)
Available-for-sale securities	(1.3)	(1.5)	1.2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	14.5	(177.6)	(32.3)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brink's	103.4	(103.1)	24.8
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Net income	20.8	24.0	15.7
Benefit plan adjustments	(2.9)	0	0
Foreign currency	2.4	(2.1)	5.2
Available-for-sale securities	0	0.1	0.4
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(0.5)	(2.0)	5.6
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	20.3	22.0	21.3
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 123.7	$ (81.1)	$ 46.1