Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 990.5	$ 935.6	$ 1,962.0	$ 1,871.1
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	810.0	767.1	1,620.1	1,521.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	147.4	135.9	282.9	271.4
Total costs and expenses	957.4	903.0	1,903.0	1,793.0
Other operating income (expense)	0.1	(1.2)	(8.6)	0.9
Operating profit	33.2	31.4	50.4	79.0
Interest expense	(6.1)	(5.4)	(12.1)	(11.7)
Interest and other income (expense)	0.4	0.9	0.9	4.8
Income from continuing operations before tax	27.5	26.9	39.2	72.1
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	11.0	(9.1)	16.3	7.6
Income from continuing operations	16.5	36.0	22.9	64.5
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4.5)	(3.9)	(23.8)	(8.6)
Net income (loss)	12.0	32.1	(0.9)	55.9
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3.3)	(1.6)	(7.0)	(8.4)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brink's	8.7	30.5	(7.9)	47.5
Amounts attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	13.2	34.4	15.9	56.1
Discontinued operations	(4.5)	(3.9)	(23.8)	(8.6)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brink's	$ 8.7	$ 30.5	$ (7.9)	$ 47.5
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.27	$ 0.71	$ 0.33	$ 1.16
Discontinued operations	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.18)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.18	$ 0.63	$ (0.16)	$ 0.98
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.27	$ 0.71	$ 0.33	$ 1.16
Discontinued operations	$ (0.09)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.18)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.18	$ 0.63	$ (0.16)	$ 0.98
Weighted-average shares
Basic	48.6	48.5	48.6	48.3
Diluted	48.9	48.6	48.9	48.5
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.20	$ 0.20