Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,039.4	$ 982.4	$ 969.9	$ 950.5	$ 977.1	$ 926.2	$ 914.6	$ 917.1	$ 3,942.2	$ 3,735.0	$ 3,662.9
Segment operating profit	84.2	79.9	54.4	34.3	71.7	67.0	52.1	73.1
Operating profit	62.4	59.2	32.8	17.3	50.4	45.0	30.8	48.8	171.7	175.0	202.5
Amounts Attributable To Brink's Income (Loss) From [Abstract]
Continuing operations	26.0	29.8	13.2	2.9	34.0	21.1	33.6	22.5	71.9	111.2	100.3
Discontinued operations	14.9	(6.0)	(4.5)	(19.5)	(6.1)	(7.6)	(3.1)	(5.5)	(15.1)	(22.3)	(25.8)
Net income attributable to Brink's	40.9	23.8	8.7	(16.6)	27.9	13.5	30.5	17.0	56.8	88.9	74.5
Depreciation and amortization	47.0	42.3	42.2	42.1	40.4	38.4	38.2	38.7	173.6	155.7	148.1
Capital expenditures	55.5	44.0	44.8	33.4	65.9	44.1	35.9	32.0	177.7	177.9	183.7
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ 0.53	$ 0.61	$ 0.27	$ 0.06	$ 0.70	$ 0.43	$ 0.69	$ 0.47	$ 1.47	$ 2.29	$ 2.09
Discontinued operations	$ 0.30	$ (0.12)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.54)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.83	$ 0.49	$ 0.18	$ (0.34)	$ 0.57	$ 0.28	$ 0.63	$ 0.35	$ 1.16	$ 1.83	$ 1.55
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ 0.53	$ 0.61	$ 0.27	$ 0.06	$ 0.70	$ 0.44	$ 0.69	$ 0.47	$ 1.48	$ 2.30	$ 2.10
Discontinued operations	$ 0.31	$ (0.12)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.40)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.46)	$ (0.54)
Net income (loss)	$ 0.84	$ 0.49	$ 0.18	$ (0.34)	$ 0.58	$ 0.28	$ 0.63	$ 0.35	$ 1.17	$ 1.84	$ 1.56
Settlement Charge									0	0	(10.1)
Pretax Gain on Sale of Business									2.8	0.8	9.2
Tax benefit Related to a Change in Retiree Healthcare Funding Strategy			20.9
Gain on Sale of Real Estate		7.2							2.4	7.6	1.2
Loss Related to Theft In Belgium				$ 18.7