<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.4.0.6</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>100</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>236</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>28</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000900 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>002500 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>003010 - Statement - Parenthetical Data To The Consolidated Statement of Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/ParentheticalDataToTheConsolidatedStatementOfEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Parenthetical Data To The Consolidated Statement of Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100200 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100300 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefits</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/RetirementBenefits</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefits</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100400 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>100900 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101500 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SharebasedCompensationPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101600 - Disclosure - Capital Stock</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/CapitalStock</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101800 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>102100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingent Matters</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingentMatters</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingent Matters</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>300200 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>300300 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefits (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/RetirementBenefitsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefits (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>300400 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>300900 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>301500 - Disclosure - Share-based Compensation Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SharebasedCompensationPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based Compensation Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>301600 - Disclosure - Capital Stock (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/CapitalStockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>301800 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400200 - Disclosure - Segment information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400300 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefits - Retirement Cost (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureRetirementBenefitsRetirementCostDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefits - Retirement Cost (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400305 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefits - Obligations and Funded Status (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureRetirementBenefitsObligationsAndFundedStatusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefits - Obligations and Funded Status (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400380 - Disclosure - Retirement Benefits - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureRetirementBenefitsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Benefits - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400400 - Disclosure - Income taxes - Income and Taxes from Cont. Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeAndTaxesFromContOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income taxes - Income and Taxes from Cont. Operations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400410 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Rate Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesRateReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Rate Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400420 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400430 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Valuation Allowances (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesValuationAllowancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Valuation Allowances (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400450 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesUncertainTaxPositionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400500 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400610 - Disclosure - Acquisitions - Narratives (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/AcquisitionsNarrativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions - Narratives (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400700 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - From Aqcuisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsFromAqcuisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - From Aqcuisitions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>400900 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401000 - Disclosure - Accrued Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/AccruedLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accrued Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401100 - Disclosure - Other Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/OtherLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401200 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureLongtermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401210 - Disclosure - Long-term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/LongtermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401300 - Disclosure - Accounts Receivable (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureAccountsReceivableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Receivable (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401400 - Disclosure - Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401500 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureSharebasedCompensationPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401510 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation plans - Options Activity (Detais)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureSharebasedCompensationPlansOptionsActivityDetais</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-based compensation plans - Options Activity (Detais)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401600 - Disclosure - Capital Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureCapitalStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401610 - Disclosure - Capital Stock - Shares Used To Calculate Earnings (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/CapitalStockSharesUsedToCalculateEarningsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Capital Stock - Shares Used To Calculate Earnings (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401700 - Disclosure - Income from Discontinued Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureIncomeFromDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income from Discontinued Operations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401800 - Disclosure - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>401900 - Disclosure - Other Operating Income (Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Operating Income (Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>402000 - Disclosure - Interest and Other Nonoperating Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/DisclosureInterestAndOtherNonoperatingIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Interest and Other Nonoperating Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>402100 - Disclosure - Other Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/OtherCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>402200 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://brinkscompany.com/role/SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeBenefitPlan had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Equity' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '400100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '401500 - Disclosure - Share-based compensation plans (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 002500 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 003010 - Statement - Parenthetical Data To The Consolidated Statement of Equity</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>bco-20120930.xml</File>
    <File>bco-20120930.xsd</File>
    <File>bco-20120930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bco-20120930_def.xml</File>
    <File>bco-20120930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bco-20120930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
