Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 98.5	$ 72.8	$ 231.9
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1.5)	(0.3)	(4.5)
Depreciation and amortization	162.4	136.6	135.1
Stock compensation expense	6.2	6.2	6.6
Deferred income taxes	(31.4)	(2.3)	(91.0)
Deconsolidation of Brink's Belgium and write-down to fair value	0	13.4	0
Sales of available-for-sale securities	(4.4)	(3.8)	0
Sales of property and other assets	(7.9)	(1.2)	(9.4)
Acquisitions of controlling interests	(0.4)	13.7	(14.9)
Bargain purchase gain	(2.1)	(5.1)	0
Asset Impairment Charges	4.7	0.7	2.7
Retirement benefit funding (more) less than expense:
Pension	4.6	(4.2)	(102.7)
Other than pension	11.6	16.6	15.3
Other operating	10.8	7.6	4.3
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(50.9)	(37.7)	8.9
Accounts payable, income taxes payable and accrued liabilities	49.4	38.9	(16.4)
Prepaid and other current assets	(14.4)	(14.4)	3.5
Other	10.4	7.7	2.3
Discontinued operations	1.4	(9.9)	23.5
Net cash provided by operating activities	247.0	235.3	195.2
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(196.2)	(148.8)	(170.6)
Acquisitions	(3.0)	(100.7)	(74.6)
Available-for-sale secuirties:
Purchases	(0.5)	(3.0)	(11.1)
Sales	12.9	1.3	4.7
Cash proceeds from sale of property, equipment and investments	14.4	4.9	10.5
Other	0.6	(9.1)	0
Net cash used by investing activities	(171.8)	(255.4)	(241.1)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term debt	(7.6)	27.1	(0.9)
Long-term revolving credit facilities	(113.9)	121.2	(10.1)
Issuance of private placement notes	100.0
Borrowings	0	3.6	0.6
Repayments	(32.2)	(19.5)	(11.9)
Cash proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	17.6	1.2	13.6
Debt financing costs	(0.6)	(2.5)	0
Repurchase shares of common stock of Brink's	0	(33.7)	(6.9)
Dividends to:
Shareholders of Brink's	(18.7)	(18.9)	(18.4)
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(16.1)	(18.4)	(13.7)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5.9	1.3	1.3
Excess tax benefits associated with stock compensation	1.1	0.6	0.3
Minimum tax withholdings associated with stock compensation	(2.7)	(1.8)	(0.4)
Other	0	(0.2)	(0.1)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(67.2)	60.0	(46.6)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(8.1)	0.1	(15.4)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Increase (decrease)	(0.1)	40.0	(107.9)
Balance at beginning of period	183.0	143.0	250.9
Balance at end of period	$ 182.9	$ 183.0	$ 143.0