Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 881.2	$ 872.5	$ 859.0	$ 949.6	$ 997.2	$ 942.1	$ 929.0	$ 910.3	$ 3,562.3	$ 3,778.6	$ 3,577.6
Operating profit	(23.7)	61.2	8.7	(73.7)	59.4	56.9	31.7	15.2	(27.5)	163.2	162.2
Amounts Attributable To Brink's Income (Loss) From [Abstract]
Continuing operations	(25.5)	28.8	0.9	(59.0)	23.9	28.4	12.1	1.6	(54.8)	66.0	102.3
Discontinued operations	(21.7)	(8.6)	0.7	0.5	17.0	(4.6)	(3.4)	(18.2)	(29.1)	(9.2)	(13.4)
Net income attributable to Brink's	(47.2)	20.2	1.6	(58.5)	40.9	23.8	8.7	(16.6)	(83.9)	56.8	88.9
Depreciation and amortization	39.4	39.7	40.9	41.9	44.8	40.4	40.4	40.2	161.9	165.8	148.4
Capital expenditures	53.7	26.3	32.3	23.8	53.7	43.1	43.6	32.5	136.1	172.9	170.9
Basic:
Continuing operations	$ (0.52)	$ 0.59	$ 0.02	$ (1.21)	$ 0.49	$ 0.58	$ 0.25	$ 0.03	$ (1.12)	$ 1.36	$ 2.12
Discontinued operations	$ (0.44)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.35	$ (0.09)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.28)
Net income (loss)	$ (0.96)	$ 0.41	$ 0.03	$ (1.2)	$ 0.84	$ 0.49	$ 0.18	$ (0.34)	$ (1.71)	$ 1.17	$ 1.84
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$ (0.52)	$ 0.58	$ 0.02	$ (1.21)	$ 0.49	$ 0.58	$ 0.25	$ 0.03	$ (1.12)	$ 1.35	$ 2.11
Discontinued operations	$ (0.44)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.35	$ (0.09)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.59)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.28)
Net income (loss)	$ (0.96)	$ 0.41	$ 0.03	$ (1.2)	$ 0.83	$ 0.49	$ 0.18	$ (0.34)	$ (1.71)	$ 1.16	$ 1.83
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Pretax Gain on Sale of Business									0	2.8	0.8
Peruvian CIT Business [Member]
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Pretax Gain on Sale of Business		44.3							44.3
Belgium [Member]
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Loss Due to Theft								18.7
SICAD II [Member]
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Net remeasurement loss				121.9
Venezuela 2013 Currency Devaluation [Member]
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Net remeasurement loss								13.4
Employee Severance [Member]
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Restructuring charges incurred	21.8
US Plans [Member]
Effect of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Settlement loss	$ (56.1)								$ (56.1)	$ (0.1)	$ (5.0)