Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 22, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	BRINKS CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000078890
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,616,323
Trading Symbol	bco
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Smaller Reporting Company	false