Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 305.3	$ 45.7	$ 486.3	$ 310.0	$ (628.0)	$ 91.3
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2008		45,700,000
Net income	231.9			200.2		31.7
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(3.3)				50.0	(53.3)
Shares repurchased, shares	(200,000)
Newly issued shares of common stock for contribution		2,300,000
Shares repurchased, value	(6.1)	(0.2)	(2.5)	(3.4)
Aggregate value of shares of common stock contribution	57.6	2.3	55.3
Dividends:
Brink's common shareholders, value	(18.4)			(18.4)
Noncontrolling interests	(13.7)					(13.7)
Stock options and awards:
Compensation expense	6.6		6.6
Consideration received from exercise of stock options, shares	(79,000)	100,000
Consideration received from exercise of stock options, value	1.3	0.1	1.2
Excess tax benefits of stock compensation	0.1		0.1
Other share-based benefit programs, value	2.8		3.2	(0.4)
Adjustment to spin-off of BHS	26.8			26.8
Business acquisitions	(4.9)					(4.9)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	595.8	47.9	550.2	514.8	(578.0)	60.9
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2009		47,900,000
Net income	72.8			57.1		15.7
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(26.7)				(32.3)	5.6
Shares repurchased, shares		(1,700,000)
Shares repurchased, value	(33.7)	(1.7)	(19.5)	(12.5)
Dividends:
Brink's common shareholders, value	(18.9)			(18.9)
Noncontrolling interests	(18.4)					(18.4)
Stock options and awards:
Compensation expense	6.2		6.2
Consideration received from exercise of stock options, shares	(372,000)	400,000
Consideration received from exercise of stock options, value	6.5	0.4	6.1
Excess tax benefits of stock compensation	0.7		0.7
Other share-based benefit programs, value	(4.3)	(0.2)	(1.1)	(3.0)
Other Share Based Programs Shares		(200,000)
Business acquisitions	(3.1)					(3.1)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	583.1	46.4	542.6	537.5	(610.3)	66.9
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010		46,400,000
Net income	98.5			74.5		24.0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(179.6)				(177.6)	(2.0)
Dividends:
Brink's common shareholders, value	(18.7)			(18.7)
Noncontrolling interests	(16.1)					(16.1)
Stock options and awards:
Compensation expense	6.2		6.2
Consideration received from exercise of stock options, shares	(562,000)	600,000
Consideration received from exercise of stock options, value	11.7	0.6	11.1
Excess tax benefits of stock compensation	1.1		1.1
Other share-based benefit programs, value	(5.4)	(0.1)	(1.5)	(3.8)
Other Share Based Programs Shares		(100,000)
Business acquisitions	(0.8)					(0.8)
Capital contributions	0.8					0.8
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 482.4	$ 46.9	$ 559.5	$ 589.5	$ (787.9)	$ 74.4
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011		46,900,000