Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 967.1	$ 979.3	$ 1,933.9	$ 1,892.6
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	798.9	808.6	1,585.9	1,566.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	140.4	142.0	280.0	263.7
Total costs and expenses	939.3	950.6	1,865.9	1,829.9
Other operating income (expense)	(1.3)	(8.3)	0.9	(5.3)
Operating profit	26.5	20.4	68.9	57.4
Interest expense	(5.4)	(5.9)	(11.7)	(11.7)
Interest and other income (expense)	0.9	1.1	4.8	5.5
Income from continuing operations before tax	22.0	15.6	62.0	51.2
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(10.1)	5.6	6.1	17.0
Income from continuing operations	32.1	10.0	55.9	34.2
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	2.6	0	3.7
Net income	32.1	12.6	55.9	37.9
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.6)	(4.7)	(8.4)	(10.0)
Net income attributable to Brink's	30.5	7.9	47.5	27.9
Income attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	30.5	5.3	47.5	24.2
Discontinued operations	0	2.6	0	3.7
Net income attributable to Brink's	$ 30.5	$ 7.9	$ 47.5	$ 27.9
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.63	$ 0.11	$ 0.98	$ 0.51
Discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0.05	$ 0	$ 0.08
Net income	$ 0.63	$ 0.17	$ 0.98	$ 0.58
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.63	$ 0.11	$ 0.98	$ 0.50
Discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0.05	$ 0	$ 0.08
Net income	$ 0.63	$ 0.16	$ 0.98	$ 0.58
Weighted-average shares
Basic	48.5	47.8	48.3	47.7
Diluted	48.6	48.1	48.5	48.0
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.20	$ 0.20