Basis of presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Basis of presentation (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	We have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. The most significant estimates are related to goodwill and other long-lived assets, pension and other retirement benefit obligations, legal contingencies, business divestitures, foreign currency translation and deferred tax assets.
Consolidation	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brink’s and the subsidiaries it controls. Control is determined based on ownership rights or, when applicable, based on whether we are considered to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. Our interest in 20% to 50% owned companies that are not controlled are accounted for using the equity method, provided we sufficiently influence the management of the investee. Other investments are accounted for as cost-method investments or as available-for-sale. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation Our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars. Our foreign subsidiaries maintain their records primarily in the currency of the country in which they operate. The method of translating local currency financial information into U.S. dollars depends on whether the economy in which our foreign subsidiary operates has been designated as highly inflationary or not. Economies with an officially reported three-year cumulative inflation rate of more than 100% are considered highly inflationary. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries in non-highly inflationary economies are translated into U.S. dollars using rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at rates of exchange in effect during the year. Transaction gains and losses are recorded in net income. Foreign subsidiaries that operate in highly inflationary countries use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Local-currency monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars using rates of exchange as of each balance sheet date, with remeasurement adjustments and other transaction gains and losses recognized in earnings. Non-monetary assets and liabilities do not fluctuate with changes in local currency exchange rates to the dollar.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets in Venezuela	Impairment of Long-lived Assets in Venezuela During the second quarter of 2015, Brink's elected to evaluate and pursue strategic options for the Venezuelan business. Our consideration of these strategic options is ongoing and, during the second quarter of 2015, required us to perform an impairment review of the carrying values of our Venezuelan long-lived assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. Our asset impairment analysis included management's best estimate of associated cash flows relating to the long-lived assets and included fair value assumptions that reflect conditions that exist in a volatile economic environment. Future events or actions relative to our Venezuelan business may result in further adjustments.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which will become effective for us on January 1, 2016. Under ASU 2015-3, certain debt issuance costs currently reported as assets will be reclassified and shown as direct adjustments to the reported debt liability. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on our financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts with Customers, a new standard related to revenue recognition which requires an entity to recognize an amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods and services to customers. The new standard will replace most of the existing revenue recognition standards in U.S. GAAP. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers the effective date of this new standard to January 1, 2018. The new standard can be applied retrospectively to each reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of the change recognized at the date of the initial application in retained earnings. We are assessing the potential impact of this new standard on financial reporting and have not yet selected a transition method.