We show that the crust-core interface in neutron stars acts as a potential
barrier to the peripheral neutron vortices approaching the interface in the
model in which these are coupled to the proton vortex clusters. This eleme
ntary barrier arises because of the interaction of vortex magnetic flux wit
h the Meissner currents set up by the crustal magnetic field at the interfa
ce. The dominant part of the force is derived from the cluster-interface in
teraction, As a result of the stopping of the continuous neutron vortex cur
rent through the interface, angular momentum is stored in the superfluid la
yers in the vicinity of the crust-core interface during the interglitch per
iod. Discontinuous annihilation of proton vortices at the boundary restores
the neutron vortex current and spins up the observable crust on short time
-scales, leading to a glitch in the spin characteristics of a pulsar.