Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,003.0	$ 944.9	$ 2,960.4	$ 2,811.4
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues	799.7	764.6	2,415.0	2,281.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses	143.5	143.5	425.7	414.0
Total costs and expenses	943.2	908.1	2,840.7	2,695.3
Other operating income (expense)	1.2	8.9	(7.4)	9.8
Operating profit	61.0	45.7	112.3	125.9
Interest expense	(6.5)	(5.7)	(18.5)	(17.2)
Interest and other income (expense)	0.3	1.5	1.2	6.3
Income from continuing operations before tax	54.8	41.5	95.0	115.0
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	15.5	15.5	32.0	23.3
Income from continuing operations	39.3	26.0	63.0	91.7
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7.3)	(7.8)	(31.9)	(17.6)
Net income (loss)	32.0	18.2	31.1	74.1
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8.2)	(4.7)	(15.2)	(13.1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brink's	23.8	13.5	15.9	61.0
Amounts attributable to Brink's:
Continuing operations	31.1	21.3	47.8	78.6
Discontinued operations	(7.3)	(7.8)	(31.9)	(17.6)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brink's	$ 23.8	$ 13.5	$ 15.9	$ 61.0
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.64	$ 0.44	$ 0.98	$ 1.63
Discontinued operations	$ (0.15)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.66)	$ (0.37)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.49	$ 0.28	$ 0.33	$ 1.26
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.63	$ 0.44	$ 0.98	$ 1.62
Discontinued operations	$ (0.15)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.65)	$ (0.36)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.49	$ 0.28	$ 0.32	$ 1.26
Weighted-average shares
Basic	48.7	48.5	48.6	48.4
Diluted	49.0	48.6	48.9	48.6
Cash dividends paid per common share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.30	$ 0.30