Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 109.7	$ 98.5	$ 72.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	17.9	22.0	24.5
Depreciation and amortization	165.5	156.6	126.6
Share-based compensation expense	8.0	6.2	6.2
Deferred income taxes	(43.9)	(31.2)	(1.5)
Sales of available-for-sale securities	(2.9)	(4.4)	(3.8)
Sales of property and other assets	(7.7)	(7.9)	(1.2)
Business acquisitions and dispositions	(0.8)	(0.4)	13.7
Bargain purchase gain	0	(2.1)	(5.1)
Impairment losses	4.2	2.4	0.7
Retirement benefit funding (more) less than expense:
Pension	(5.4)	4.6	(4.2)
Other than pension	22.3	11.6	16.6
Other operating	12.0	9.6	6.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(72.0)	(55.4)	(30.6)
Accounts payable, income taxes payable and accrued liabilities	37.7	52.7	37.1
Prepaid and other current assets	7.4	(14.5)	(13.8)
Other	9.8	10.1	8.3
Discontinued operations	(11.3)	(11.4)	(17.9)
Net cash provided by operating activities	250.5	247.0	235.3
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(184.5)	(192.0)	(137.8)
Acquisitions	(17.2)	(3.0)	(100.7)
Available-for-sale secuirties:
Purchases	0	(0.5)	(3.0)
Sales	15.4	12.9	1.3
Cash proceeds from sale of property, equipment and investments	12.6	14.2	4.8
Redemption of cash-surrender value of life insurance policies	6.2	0	0
Other	4.9	0.6	(9.1)
Discontinued operations	(4.7)	(4.0)	(10.9)
Net cash used by investing activities	(167.3)	(171.8)	(255.4)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term debt	1.5	(7.6)	27.6
Long-term revolving credit facilities	(4.2)	(113.9)	121.7
Issuance of private placement notes	0	100.0	0
Borrowings	9.7	0	3.3
Repayments	(29.9)	(31.9)	(19.2)
Cash proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	17.6	1.2
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	9.4	0	0
Debt financing costs	(1.5)	(0.6)	(2.5)
Repurchase shares of common stock of Brink's	0	0	(33.7)
Dividends to:
Shareholders of Brink's	(19.0)	(18.7)	(18.9)
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(13.0)	(16.1)	(18.4)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1.4	5.9	1.3
Excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation	0	1.1	0.6
Minimum tax withholdings associated with share-based compensation	(5.6)	(2.7)	(1.8)
Other	0.5	0	(0.2)
Discontinued operations	1.5	(0.3)	(1.0)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(68.0)	(67.2)	60.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	3.6	(8.1)	0.1
Cash and cash equivalents:
Increase (decrease)	18.8	(0.1)	40.0
Balance at beginning of period	182.9	183.0	143.0
Balance at end of period	$ 201.7	$ 182.9	$ 183.0