Debt Instrument, Maximum Maturity Period

No definition available.

Name:	bco_DebtInstrumentMaximumMaturityPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	bco_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit, Number of Credit Facilities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bco_LineofCreditNumberofCreditFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	bco_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unused borrowing capacity under the long-term financing arrangement that is available to the entity as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmountAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current portion of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(13))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Line-of-Credit Arrangement
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6517033

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow during the period from additional borrowings in aggregate debt. Includes proceeds from short-term and long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bco_AmendedRevolvingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bco_UnsecuredMultiCurrencyDebtFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bco_UnsecuredBilateralCommitedCreditFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bco_UnsecuredLetterOfCreditFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bco_DebtInstrumentSubTypeAxis=bco_February2017MultiCurrencyFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bco_DebtInstrumentSubTypeAxis=bco_TwentyFourMillionUnsecuredLetterOfCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bco_DebtInstrumentSubTypeAxis=bco_EightyFiveMillionUnsecuredLetterOfCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bco_PrivatePlacementNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bco_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bco_DebtInstrumentSubTypeAxis=bco_PrivatePlacementNotesSeriesaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	bco_DebtInstrumentSubTypeAxis=bco_PrivatePlacementNotesSeriesBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=bco_UncommittedFacilityAgreementThirtyDayMaximumMaturityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Narrative (Details)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
Debt - Narrative (Details)	Oct. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) facility	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Facility fee percent				0.20%
Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Amount available				$ 469,000,000
Unsecured Multi-currency Debt Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Undrawn letters of credit				5,000,000
Unsecured Bilateral Commited Credit Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Amount available		$ 24,000,000
Maximum borrowing amount				8,000,000
Unsecured Letter of Credit Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Amount available				94,000,000
Maximum borrowing amount				28,000,000
Undrawn letters of credit				66,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity				525,000,000
Letter of Credit
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity				40,000,000
Unsecured notes outstanding				$ 5,000,000
Letter of Credit \| Unsecured Letter of Credit Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Number of term loan facilities \| facility				2
February 2017 Multi-currency Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 20,000,000
Maximum borrowing amount				4,000,000
Twenty Four Million Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility \| Unsecured Letter of Credit Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing amount				40,000,000
Eighty Five Million Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility \| Unsecured Letter of Credit Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing amount				$ 54,000,000
Minimum \| Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Facility fee percent				0.125%
Minimum \| Unsecured Multi-currency Debt Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range				1.00%
Maximum \| Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Facility fee percent				0.30%
Maximum \| Unsecured Multi-currency Debt Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range				1.70%
Unsecured notes issued in a private placement \| Private Placement Notes
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Principal				$ 86,000,000
Unsecured notes issued in a private placement \| Term Loan
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Term loan			$ 75,000,000	65,600,000	$ 70,900,000
Remaining balance			$ 34,000,000
Amount outstanding				66,000,000
Unsecured notes issued in a private placement \| Private Placement Notes Series A \| Private Placement Notes
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Unsecured notes outstanding				$ 36,000,000
Fixed interest rate				4.57%
Unsecured notes issued in a private placement \| Private Placement Notes Series B \| Private Placement Notes
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Unsecured notes outstanding				$ 50,000,000
Fixed interest rate				5.20%
LIBOR \| Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range				1.30%
LIBOR \| Unsecured Bilateral Commited Credit Facilities
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range		1.00%
LIBOR \| Minimum \| Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range				1.00%
LIBOR \| Maximum \| Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range				1.70%
LIBOR \| Unsecured notes issued in a private placement \| Term Loan
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range			1.75%
Base Rate \| Minimum \| Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range				0.00%
Base Rate \| Maximum \| Amended Revolving Facility
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range				0.70%
Uncommitted Credit Facilities \| Uncommitted Facility Agreement
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Maximum maturity period	30 days
Short term borrowings				$ 100,000,000
Uncommitted Credit Facilities \| LIBOR \| Uncommitted Facility Agreement
Long-term Debt Types [Abstract]
Price range	1.00%