Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 966.8	$ 913.3
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	787.0	757.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	139.6	121.7
Total costs and expenses	926.6	879.3
Other operating income (expense)	2.2	3.0
Operating profit	42.4	37.0
Interest expense	(6.3)	(5.8)
Interest and other income (Expense)	3.9	4.4
Income from continuing operations before tax	40.0	35.6
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	16.2	11.4
Income from continuing operations	23.8	24.2
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	1.1
Net income	23.8	25.3
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6.8)	(5.3)
Net income attributable to Brink's	17.0	20.0
Income (loss) attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	17.0	18.9
Discontinued operations	0	1.1
Net income attributable to Brink's	$ 17.0	$ 20.0
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.35	$ 0.40
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Net income	$ 0.35	$ 0.42
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.35	$ 0.39
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Net income	$ 0.35	$ 0.41
Weighted-average shares
Basic	48.1	47.6
Diluted	48.3	48.1
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10