Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23.8	$ 25.3
Benefit plan adjustments:
Net experience gains (losses) arising during the year	(6.0)	0
Deferred profit sharing	0.2	0
Tax benefit (provision) related to net experience gains and losses arising during the year	1.7	0
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior net experience loss included in net income	21.5	11.6
Tax benefit related to reclassification adjustment	(7.9)	(4.3)
Prior service (cost) credit from plan amendment during the year	0	0
Tax benefit (provision) related to prior service (cost) credit from plan amendment during the year	0	0
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net income	0.9	0.9
Tax provision (benefit) related to reclassification adjustment	(0.3)	(0.3)
Benefit plan adjustments, net of tax	10.1	7.9
Foreign currency:
Translation adjustments arising during the year	26.4	23.1
Reclassification From Available For Sale Securities	0	0
Tax benefit (provision) related to translation adjustments	0	0
Reclassification adjustment for deconsolidation of a former subsidiary	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	26.4	23.1
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized net gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during the year	0.7	2.8
Reclassification To Comprehensive Income	0	0
Tax benefit (provision) related to unrealized net gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	(0.2)	(0.2)
Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses realized in net income	(2.1)	(4.4)
Tax provision (benefit) related to reclassification adjustment	0.8	0.9
Unrealized net gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(0.8)	(0.9)
Other comprehensive income	35.7	30.1
Comprehensive income (loss)	59.5	55.4
Amounts attributable to Brink's [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Brink's	17.0	20.0
Benefit plan adjustments	10.1	7.9
Foreign currency	24.4	23.1
Available-for-sale securities	(0.8)	(1.0)
Other comprehensive loss	33.7	30.0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Brinks	50.7	50.0
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Net income	6.8	5.3
Foreign currency	2.0	0
Available-for-sale securities	0	0.1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2.0	0.1
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8.8	5.4
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 59.5	$ 55.4