Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]        
Revenues $ 979.0 $ 995.8 $ 2,912.9 $ 2,888.4
Costs and expenses:        
Cost of revenues 799.0 807.7 2,384.9 2,373.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses 147.4 136.6 427.4 400.3
Total costs and expenses 946.4 944.3 2,812.3 2,774.2
Other operating income (expense) 4.5 11.0 5.4 5.7
Operating profit 37.1 62.5 106.0 119.9
Interest expense (5.7) (6.5) (17.4) (18.2)
Interest and other income (expense) 1.5 1.3 6.3 6.8
Income from continuing operations before tax 32.9 57.3 94.9 108.5
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 14.7 20.9 20.8 37.9
Income from continuing operations 18.2 36.4 74.1 70.6
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 0 (0.7) 0 3.0
Net income 18.2 35.7 74.1 73.6
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (4.7) (4.9) (13.1) (14.9)
Net income attributable to Brink's 13.5 30.8 61.0 58.7
Income attributable to Brink's:        
Continuing operations 13.5 31.5 61.0 55.7
Discontinued operations 0 (0.7) 0 3.0
Net income attributable to Brink's $ 13.5 $ 30.8 $ 61.0 $ 58.7
Basic:        
Continuing operations $ 0.28 $ 0.66 $ 1.26 $ 1.17
Discontinued operations $ 0 $ (0.02) $ 0 $ 0.06
Net income $ 0.28 $ 0.64 $ 1.26 $ 1.23
Diluted:        
Continuing operations $ 0.28 $ 0.66 $ 1.26 $ 1.16
Discontinued operations $ 0 $ (0.02) $ 0 $ 0.06
Net income $ 0.28 $ 0.64 $ 1.26 $ 1.22
Weighted-average shares        
Basic 48.5 48.0 48.4 47.8
Diluted 48.6 48.1 48.6 48.1
Cash dividends paid per common share $ 0.10 $ 0.10 $ 0.30 $ 0.30