Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 22, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-09148
Entity Registrant Name	BRINKS CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	VA
Entity Tax Identification Number	54-1317776
Entity Address, Address Line One	1801 Bayberry Court
Entity Address, City or Town	Richmond
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	23226
City Area Code	804
Local Phone Number	289-9600
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol	BCO
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Smaller Reporting Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,999,493
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0000078890
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31