Contingent matters	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingent matters	Contingent matters During the fourth quarter of 2015, we became aware of an investigation initiated by COFECE (the Mexican antitrust agency) related to potential anti-competitive practices among competitors in the cash logistics industry in Mexico (the industry in which Brink’s Mexican subsidiary, SERPAPROSA, is active). Because no legal proceedings have been initiated against SERPAPROSA, we cannot estimate the probability of loss or any range of estimate of possible loss at this time. It is possible that SERPAPROSA could become the subject of legal or administrative claims or proceedings, however, that could result in a loss that could be material to the Company’s results in a future period. On March 21, 2016, The Bruce McDonald Holding Company, et al., filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court of Logan County, West Virginia against Addington, Inc. (“Addington”) and The Brink’s Company related to an Agreement of Lease dated September 19, 1978, between the Plaintiffs and Addington. The Plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment and unspecified damages related to allegations that Addington failed to mine coal on the property leased from the Plaintiffs and failed to pay correct minimum royalties to the Plaintiffs. The Company filed a counterclaim against the Plaintiffs related to the Plaintiffs’ failure to consent to the assignment and subleasing the leasehold to others. In August 2017, the Circuit Court of Logan County granted certain of our motions for summary judgment and denied the Plaintiff's motions for summary judgment, which substantially resolved all matters in the Company's favor. The Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal on September 22, 2017. In addition, we are involved in various other lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business. We are not able to estimate the loss or range of losses for some of these matters. We have recorded accruals for losses that are considered probable and reasonably estimable. Except as otherwise noted, we do not believe that it is reasonably possible the ultimate disposition of any of the lawsuits currently pending against the Company could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial position or results of operations.

Contingent matters

During the fourth quarter of 2015, we became aware of an investigation initiated by COFECE (the Mexican antitrust agency) related to potential anti-competitive practices among competitors in the cash logistics industry in Mexico (the industry in which Brink’s Mexican subsidiary, SERPAPROSA, is active). Because no legal proceedings have been initiated against SERPAPROSA, we cannot estimate the probability of loss or any range of estimate of possible loss at this time. It is possible that SERPAPROSA could become the subject of legal or administrative claims or proceedings, however, that could result in a loss that could be material to the Company’s results in a future period.

On March 21, 2016, The Bruce McDonald Holding Company, et al., filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court of Logan County, West Virginia against Addington, Inc. (“Addington”) and The Brink’s Company related to an Agreement of Lease dated September 19, 1978, between the Plaintiffs and Addington. The Plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment and unspecified damages related to allegations that Addington failed to mine coal on the property leased from the Plaintiffs and failed to pay correct minimum royalties to the Plaintiffs. The Company filed a counterclaim against the Plaintiffs related to the Plaintiffs’ failure to consent to the assignment and subleasing the leasehold to others. In August 2017, the Circuit Court of Logan County granted certain of our motions for summary judgment and denied the Plaintiff's motions for summary judgment, which substantially resolved all matters in the Company's favor. The Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal on September 22, 2017.

In addition, we are involved in various other lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business. We are not able to estimate the loss or range of losses for some of these matters. We have recorded accruals for losses that are considered probable and reasonably estimable. Except as otherwise noted, we do not believe that it is reasonably possible the ultimate disposition of any of the lawsuits currently pending against the Company could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial position or results of operations.