Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 977.4	$ 940.7
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	816.0	760.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses	136.0	135.8
Total costs and expenses	952.0	896.2
Other operating income (expense)	(9.2)	2.2
Operating profit	16.2	46.7
Interest expense	(6.0)	(6.3)
Interest and other income (expense)	0.5	3.9
Income from continuing operations before tax	10.7	44.3
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	4.9	16.6
Income from continuing operations	5.8	27.7
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(18.7)	(3.9)
Net income (loss)	(12.9)	23.8
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3.7)	(6.8)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brink's	(16.6)	17.0
Amounts attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	2.1	20.9
Discontinued operations	(18.7)	(3.9)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brink's	$ (16.6)	$ 17.0
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.44
Discontinued operations	$ (0.38)	$ (0.08)
Net income (loss)	$ (0.34)	$ 0.35
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.43
Discontinued operations	$ (0.38)	$ (0.08)
Net income (loss)	$ (0.34)	$ 0.35
Weighted-average shares
Basic	48.6	48.1
Diluted	48.9	48.3
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10